Knee joint
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Name the two articulations that comprise the knee joint.
- Memorize the articulating bones and their respective articulating surfaces.
- List the ligaments and menisci that stabilize the knee joint.
Watch video
The knee joint is a complex synovial joint that connects three bones (the femur, tibia and patella) which together form a pair of articulations:
- Tibiofemoral joint, formed between the tibia and the femur.
- Patellofemoral joint, formed between the patella and the femur.
The knee joint is the largest joint of the body, responsible for bearing a considerable amount of biomechanical stress every time we stand or walk. Its integrity is supported by many extracapsular and intracapsular ligaments, menisci, as well as surrounding muscles that provide the knee joint with the stability needed to bear the weight of the whole body.
To learn about the articulating surfaces, ligaments, muscles and functions of the knee joint, watch the video below.
Take a quiz
After watching the video, you should be able to answer a lot of questions about the knee. Put that knowledge to the test with this quiz!
To really challenge yourself customize your own quiz and pick more than one topic to be questioned about.
Browse atlas
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Take a closer look at the bones and ligaments of the knee joint in the gallery below.
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/knee/JisrqYGWIMLdVswaJgBSQ_Knee_1.png "Knee joint (Articulatio genus); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/medial-condyle-of-femur-1/XhuHQD3hvoRozHcfaDvJg_medial-condyle-of-femur-1.jpg "Medial condyle of femur (Condylus medialis ossis femoris); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/condylus-lateralis-femoris/kvDlJp5bALHUQb22QoNRZQ_condylus-lateralis-femoris.jpg "Lateral condyle of femur (Condylus lateralis ossis femoris); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tibial-plateau-4/E4mXEyFNRt7rFscBMGglZA_Tibial_plateau.png "Tibial plateau (Planum tibiae); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/patellar-ligament-16/ZNBXfXKelJeDxGIyZNyKwg_Patellar_lgament.png "Patellar ligament (Ligamentum patellae); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/retinaculum-patellae-mediale/qZFeylWrHr9G6UhoSp1g_RxqzNcNgLF_Retinaculum_patellae_mediale_1.png "Medial patellar retinaculum (Retinaculum patellae mediale); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/retinaculum-patellae-laterale/xRozQbcvo2VTW5S9zJsw4Q_UzJREqg13D_Retinaculum_patellae_laterale_1.png "Lateral patellar retinaculum (Retinaculum patellae laterale); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-collaterale-tibiale/j7mMQbGiH0fBc55fTdhgBw_NeisMZ828V_Ligamentum_collaterale_tibiale_1.png "Tibial collateral ligament of knee joint (Ligamentum collaterale tibiale genus); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-collaterale-fibulare/BqR9hskFP7cY3OSHej4Pfg_uRgLxSwBY9_Ligamentum_collaterale_fibulare_1.png "Fibular collateral ligament of knee joint (Ligamentum collaterale fibulare genus); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-popliteum-obliquum/Pd2FAlPtYKb0gpjaoNUg_pofg6Zek1j_Lig._popliteum_obliquum_1.png "Oblique popliteal ligament (Ligamentum popliteum obliquum); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-popliteum-arcuatum/lMWPgI0oo56xh2UDzdHEQ_eNEbLBBpj7_Lig._popliteum_arcuatum_1.png "Arcuate popliteal ligament (Ligamentum popliteum arcuatum); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/anterior-meniscotibial-ligament/FOMTFStmzub0bkmpFJD7YQ_anterior-meniscotibial-ligament.png "Anterior meniscotibial ligament (Ligamentum meniscotibiale anterius); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-transversum-genus/LSk19lZrya2lCtUec3nXA_ligamentum-transversum-genus.png "Transverse ligament of knee (Ligamentum transversum genus); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-cruciatum-anterius/fSq4XHbcHgCHSn4ImPPLqQ_ligamentum-cruciatum-anterius.png "Anterior cruciate ligament (Ligamentum cruciatum anterius); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/anterior-cruciate-ligament/FBhyubcH0EtDOjXA9bZ0pg_xD7yWWfYQX_Ligamentum_cruciatum_anterius_2.png "Anterior cruciate ligament (Ligamentum cruciatum anterius); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-cruciatum-posterius/gnRJmUEoKwqYsB98mhH5qA_ligamentum-cruciatum-posterius.png "Posterior cruciate ligament (Ligamentum cruciatum posterius); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/posterior-cruciate-ligament/TjTxuW7xT0Ehb3fRNqEbMw_cqN5dqPGVo_Ligamentum_cruciatum_posterius_2.png "Posterior cruciate ligament (Ligamentum cruciatum posterius); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/meniscus-medialis/mNjIRtWCFsAZRZAYZdnFjQ_meniscus-medialis.png "Medial meniscus (Meniscus medialis); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/meniscus-lateralis/QaXcYDAcMaJACc7DbT4itg_meniscus-lateralis.png "Lateral meniscus (Meniscus lateralis); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/medial-meniscotibial-ligament/pUhLx5Vd1SYaNsGeFQqXw_medial-meniscotibial-ligament.png "Medial meniscotibial ligament (Ligamentum meniscotibiale mediale); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/medial-meniscofemoral-ligament/JUOSSwu3DpWo4AURVMvfA_medial-meniscofemoral-ligament.png "Medial meniscofemoral ligament (Ligamentum meniscofemorale mediale); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-meniscofemorale-posterius/jVKoFdeEZoUgDi7qIx0SA_6sRYQpnxQh_Ligamentum_meniscofemorale_posterius_1.png "Posterior meniscofemoral ligament (Ligamentum meniscofemorale posterius); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-anterior-lateralis/bKjceZo5zkrtZRvknOVXg_Anterolateral_ligament_01.png "Anterolateral ligament of knee (Ligamentum anterolaterale genus); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
Now let's explore the knee joint from a sagittal view.
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/femur-8/JIupeAjCe7h2QGcCrbVLw_2femur.png "Femur (Os femoris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tibia-9/N3stymAk0uuAQShUMtJA_999Tibia.png "Tibia; Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/patella-7/oZOodC6fS8XCI8xgKYEXQ_99patella.png "Patella; Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/patellofemoral-joint/l9MxQfNHlJ4jE7l10bKDRA_99patello-femoral_joint.png "Patellofemoral joint (Articulatio patellofemoralis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/articularis-genus/lHE3zAF8VT2T2zb6Ev8ORQ_3articularis_genus_mag.png "Articularis genus muscle (Musculus articularis genus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/articular-cartilages-of-the-knee/jJGAzqArVhSQXPTLgrOsaQ_articular_cartilage.png "Articular cartilage of knee joint (Cartilago articularis genus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/articular-capsule-of-the-knee/o3atVJQe1AqLvshKARIQLQ_articular_capsule.png "Articular capsule of knee joint (Capsula articularis genus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/synovial-membrane-of-the-knee/hmPP3gBNm60C1Wi5FLoSng_synovial_membrane.png "Synovial membrane of knee joint (Membrana synovialis genus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/articular-cavity-of-the-knee/rGyPasV5Md8hp15Q4t7B6w_articular_cavity.png "Articular cavity of knee joint (Cavitas articularis genus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/lateral-meniscus-1/QxnkKuz6Fxq53UebfrtbQ_250lateral_meniscus.png "Medial meniscus (Meniscus medialis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tibial-tuberosity-4/P2rbx4hrMufC8EJjvFI87w_1000tibial_tuberosity.png "Tibial tuberosity (Tuberositas tibiae); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/quadriceps-tendon/ofPAiTzLsX0nSd4LUtzw_5quadriceps_femoris_tendon.png "Tendon of quadriceps femoris muscle (Tendo musculi quadricipitis femoris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/patellar-ligament-3/o7BpNne6fzXZklosCwCg_600patellar_ligament.png "Patellar ligament (Ligamentum patellae); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/prepatellar-bursa/gk9gcsDSpEeSq2dt8QK61w_98subcutaneous_prepateller_bursa_magnified.png "Prepatellar bursa (Bursa prepatellaris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/suprapatellar-bursa/WrjZG2wkXYEmAO90Ux28Q_suprapatellar_bursa_magnified.png "Suprapatellar bursa (Bursa suprapatellaris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/suprapatellar-fat-pads/JacX11oqhDKN6gCy3y0yw_suprapatellar_fat_body_magnified.png "Suprapatellar fat pads (Corpora adiposa suprapatellaria); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/anterior-suprapatellar-fat-pad/tOidMub7jSDIX85qWx7gQ_Suprapatellar_quadriceps_fat_pad_magnified.png "Anterior suprapatellar (quadriceps) fat pad (Corpus adiposum suprapatellare anterius); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/posterior-suprapatellar-fat-pad/sSUWW8Loh0GXMaJmw1TuA_suprapatellar_prefemoral_fat.png "Posterior suprapatellar (prefemoral) fat pad (Corpus adiposum suprapatellare posterius); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/infrapatellar-fat-pad-1/om4qmuY8dvausLPsDYlaaQ_800infrapatellar_fat_pad.png "Infrapatellar fat pad (Corpus adiposum infrapatellare); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/superficial-infrapatellar-bursa/N0HLo1YyhM5vqXpvNQBedQ_500subcutaneous_infrapatellar_bursa_2.png "Subcutaneous infrapatellar bursa (Bursa subcutanea infrapatellaris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/deep-infrapatellar-bursa/OZTAuvB5Aj61I5rLd7awZA_700deep_subtendinous_infrapatellar_bursa_magnified.png "Deep infrapatellar bursa (Bursa infrapatellaris profunda); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/lateral-subtendinous-bursa-of-gastrocnemius/0ZymfNKzkjQu6BVwNQ5uLQ_Lateral_subtendinous_bursa_of_gastrocnemius_muscle_magnified.png "Lateral subtendinous bursa of gastrocnemius muscle (Bursa subtendinea lateralis musculi gastrocnemii); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Type |
Tibiofemoral joint: Synovial hinge joint Patellofemoral joint: Plane joint |
| Articular surfaces |
Tibiofemoral joint: Lateral and medial condyles of femur, tibial plateau Patellofemoral joint: Patellar surface of femur, articular surface of patella |
| Ligaments and menisci |
Extracapsular ligaments: Patellar ligament, medial and lateral patellar retinacula, tibial (medial) collateral ligament, medial meniscofemoral ligament, medial meniscotibial ligament, fibular (lateral) collateral ligament, oblique popliteal ligament, arcuate popliteal ligament, anterolateral ligament Intracapsular ligaments/menisci: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial meniscus, lateral meniscus, transverse ligament of the knee, anterior meniscotibial ligament, posterior meniscofemoral ligament |
| Movements | Extension, flexion, internal/medial rotation, external/lateral rotation |
Well done!
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