Distal Femur and Patella Anatomy

Distal Femur

100

This bone articulates superiorly with the acetabulum and inferiorly with the articular facets 

What is the femur

200

This joint sit a half inch below the apex of the patella or one inch below the medial epicondyle

What is the femorotibial joint (knee joint)

300

AKA intercondylar surface/ trochlear groove;

Is a smooth slightly depressed surface that articulates with the patella 

What is the patellar surface of the femur

400

Large and rounded with a smooth surface that articulates with the articular facets forming the knee joint

Bonus Points!!

What is the angle that they form with the transverse plane and which condyle extends more inferiorly

What are the medial and lateral condyles of the femur

They form a 5-7 degree angle and the medial condyle is more inferior

500

Is the fairly flat surface above the condyles and intercondylar fossa on the posterior aspect.

What is the Popliteal Surface

Distal Femur 2

100

Directly above the condyles and are smaller then them; are the outer most bony processes 

What are the medial and lateral epicondyles

200

Is a fairly large depression on the posterior aspect between both condyles

What is the intercondylar notch/fossa

300

Is the small bony process found above the medal epicondyle and used to determine if there is rotation when performing a lateral knee projection

What is the adductor tubercle

400

Attaches muscle to bone

EX: quadricept to tibial tuberosity

What is a tendon

500

Attaches bone to bone

EX: apex of patella to tibial tuberosity

What is a ligament

Patella

100

Articulates with the patellar surface of the femur to form this joint

What is the patellofemoral joint

200

Is the narrow rounded end of the patella.

What is the apex/inferior border

300

Is the wider flat end.

What is the base/superior border

400

Is the rough surface on the front 

What is the anterior surface

500

Is the smooth surface on the back.

What is the posterior surface

4 Major ligaments

100

Are the four major ligaments

What are the PCL (posterior cruciate) ACL (anterior cruciate) LCL (lateral/fibular collateral) MCL (medial/tibial collateral)

200

Attaches superiorly to the medial condyle of the femur and goes along the medial aspect of the knee and attaches inferiorly to the medial condyle of the tibia.

What is the medial/tibial collateral (MCL)

300

Attach superiorly to the intercondylor fossa/notch and posteriorly and anteriroly to the intercondylar eminence 

What are the posterior and anterior cruciate

400

Attaches superiorly to the lateral condyle of the femur and inferiorly to the head of the fibula.

What is the fibular/lateral collateral (LCL)

500

Prevents hyperflexion

Prevents hyperextension

Prevents excessive side to side movement of knee

PCL

ACL

LCL and MCL 

Potpourri

100

Using their appearance and/or displacement to help diagnosis fractures in the knee area and is located below the patella

What is the infrapatellar fat pad

200

Is a sac like structure with a membrane that contains synovial fluid located around synovial joints.

What is an articular capsule aka bursa

300

Is the articular capsule above the apex/patella

Is the articular capsule below the apex/patella

What is the suprapatellar bursa

What is the infrapatellar bursa 

400

Are rounded disc like structures with a hole in the middle, act as shock absorbers for the knee joint and is responsible for producing synovial fluid.

What are the lateral and medial menisci (menisucus)

AKA fibrocartilage

500

This outer most portion is the thicker of the two menisci.

What is the lateral meniscus