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Knee Joint

Knee Joint

The knee joint is the most complicated joint in the body. It consists of three articulations– two tibiofemoral and one patellofemoral. As is characteristic of synovial joints, the knee joint has a thin articular capsule that partially surrounds this joint cavity. Additionally, several ligaments, muscles, and cartilaginous structures support the movement of the knee.
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris group...

Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella

Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella

The femur is the body's longest and strongest bone spanning the thigh region. Its head articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone to form the hip joint. A minor indentation on the medial side of the femoral head, called the fovea capitis, serves as the site of attachment for the ligament of the head of the femur. This weak ligament spans the femur and acetabulum and supports the hip joint. The narrowed region below the head is the neck of the femur. The inclination angle between the neck...

Joints

Joints

Joints, also called articulations or articular surfaces, are points at which ligaments or other tissues connect adjacent bones. Joints permit movement and stability, and can be classified based on their structure or function.
Structural joint classifications are based on the material that makes up the joint as well as whether or not the joint contains a space between the bones. Joints are structurally classified as fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial.
Fibrous Joints Are Immovable
The bones of a...

Gross Anatomy of Bone

Gross Anatomy of Bone

The two main features of a long bone are the diaphysis and the epiphysis.
The diaphysis is the tubular shaft that runs between the proximal and distal ends of the bone. The walls of the diaphysis are composed of dense and hard compact bone made of numerous osteons — the functional unit of the compact bone. The hollow region in the diaphysis is called the medullary cavity, which harbors the bone marrow. In infants and children, this marrow cavity is filled with red marrow, whereas in adults, it...

Muscles that Move the Leg

Muscles that Move the Leg

The movement of the legs is facilitated by numerous muscles located within the anterior, medial, and posterior compartments of the thigh.
Anterior Compartment
The quadriceps femoris, the most visible muscle of the anterior compartment, is integral for leg extension and thigh flexion. It is formed by merging four distinct muscles — the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris. The quadriceps tendon, a shared tendon of the four quadriceps muscles, is affixed to...

Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula

Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula

The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone of the lower leg. It is larger than the fibula with which it is paired. The tibia is also the second longest bone in the body and is located right below the skin. The proximal end of the tibia forms the medial and the lateral condyle, which articulates with the condyles of the femur to form the knee joint. Between the articulating surfaces is the irregular elevated area known as the intercondylar eminence that serves as the inferior attachment point for...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

An Experimental and Finite Element Protocol to Investigate the Transport of Neutral and Charged Solutes across Articular Cartilage

An Experimental and Finite Element Protocol to Investigate the Transport of Neutral and Charged Solutes across Articular Cartilage

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The basic science of the patella: structure, composition, and function.

Alice J S Fox¹, Florian Wanivenhaus, Scott A Rodeo

¹Laboratory for Soft Tissue Research, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York 10021, USA. foxa@hss.edu

The Journal of Knee Surgery

|August 30, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This article details the patella, the knee

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Area of Science:

Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Anatomy and Biomechanics

Background:

The patella, the largest sesamoid bone, is crucial for knee extensor function.
Understanding its anatomy and biomechanics is fundamental to knee joint health.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive overview of patella anatomy, development, and function.
To discuss common patellofemoral pathologies and treatment options.

Main Methods:

Literature review and synthesis of existing research on patella anatomy and biomechanics.
Detailed description of embryology, neurovascular supply, and imaging modalities.
Discussion of clinical conditions and surgical interventions.

Main Results:

The patella's complex anatomy and biomechanical role are essential for normal knee function.
Various pathologies, including instability and arthritis, affect the patellofemoral joint.
Patellofemoral arthroplasty is a viable treatment for severe joint disease.

Conclusions:

A thorough understanding of normal patella structure and function is vital for diagnosing and managing knee disorders.
This article serves as a foundational resource for clinicians and researchers in the field of patellofemoral health.