Skeletal/Muscular SystemExploring the Knee Joint

Lindsay CammOctober 31, 2007

WHO-DEY?!How did Carson Palmer’s knee

injury impact his life?

Articulations

• Dictionary definition: a joint in the body; a point of contact between two or more bones

• Examples: ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, carpal, vertebral

Synovial Joints(freely moveable joints like the knee)

• 7 structures:1. Joint Capsule: connective

tissue connecting bones on the outside

2. Synovial Membrane: moist, slippery membrane lining the inner surface of the joint capsule (lubricates and nourishes surfaces)

3. Articular Cartilage: connective tissue covering joint surfaces of the bones

Synovial Joints Continued...

4. Joint Cavity: small space between bones allowing movement

5. Menisci: pads of cartilage located between the ends of bones which help prevent bones from grinding

6. Ligaments: strong cords of dense, white fibrous tissue connecting bones

7. Bursae: closed pillow-like structures filled with synovial fluid to cushion

Knee Joint

• AKA-tibiofemoral joint

• uniaxial, hinge joint• largest in the body • main weight

bearing joint• very prone to injury

because it is unprotected by surrounding muscle

Latin Prefixes

• ante- (anterior): in front of• post- (posterior): behind• med- (medial): middle• lat- (lateral): side• cruc- (cruciate): cross• trans- (transverse): across

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuoj_HFG5Z0