Reading

Body Surface

The primary surface landmarks of the knee joint are associated with the femur (medial and lateral condyles, and medial and lateral epicondyles), patella, patellar ligament, tibia (medial and lateral condyles, and tibial tuberosity) and fibula (head). The skin overlying the knee joint is innervated by the saphenous and sural nerves, posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, and lateral cutaneous nerve of the calf.

Skeleton and Joints

The knee joint is the articulation between the condyles of the femur and tibia. It is a complex (basically hinge) joint that allows for flexion and extension of the leg with a slight degree of rotation. There are medial and lateral fibrocartilagenous menisci between the femoral and tibial condyles. The fibrous joint capsule is thickened regionally to form ligaments, and is supported by the anterior and posterior cruciate and medial (tibial) and lateral (fibular) collateral ligaments.

Muscles

Muscles of the anterior, medial and posterior compartments of the thigh, and posterior compartment of the leg act during movements of the knee joint.

Innervation

Branches of the femoral, obturator, sciatic and tibial nerves innervate the knee joint.

Blood Supply

The genicular branches of the popliteal artery supply the knee joint.