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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...

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...

Ankle Joint

Ankle Joint

The ankle is formed by the talocrural joint (crural = leg). It consists of the articulations between the talus bone of the foot and the distal ends of the tibia and fibula of the leg. The superior aspect of the talus bone is square-shaped and has three areas of articulation. The top of the talus articulates with the inferior tibia. This is the portion of the ankle joint that carries the body weight between the leg and foot. The sides of the talus are firmly held in position by the articulations...

Relative Motion Analysis - Velocity

Relative Motion Analysis - Velocity

A stroke engine has a slider-crank mechanism that converts rotational motion from the crank into linear motion of the slider or vice versa. This mechanism consists of three main parts: the crank, the connecting rod, and the slider.
When an external force is exerted, it sets the crank into a rotational movement. This, in turn, instigates the motion of the connecting rod, leading to what is referred to as a general plane motion. This process involves two key points - point A on the connecting rod...

Anatomical Movements

Anatomical Movements

Anatomical movements refer to the various actions or motions that can be performed by the body's joints and muscles. These movements are described using specific terms to provide a standardized way of discussing and understanding the range of motion at different joints.
Here are some common anatomical movements:
Flexion and extension motions are in the sagittal (anterior–posterior) plane of motion. These movements take place at the shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, wrist, metacarpophalangeal,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Subject-specific Musculoskeletal Model for Studying Bone Strain During Dynamic Motion

Subject-specific Musculoskeletal Model for Studying Bone Strain During Dynamic Motion

Published on: April 11, 2018

Relation between knee motion and ligament length patterns.

J S Rovick¹, J D Reuben, R J Schrager

¹Rehabilitation Engineering Program, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)

|August 7, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The anterior cruciate ligament primarily guides anterior-posterior knee motion, but does not control tibial rotation during flexion. Knee biomechanics reveal crucial insights into ligament function.

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Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Subject-specific Musculoskeletal Model for Studying Bone Strain During Dynamic Motion

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Published on: April 11, 2018

Four-Dimensional CT Analysis Using Sequential 3D-3D Registration

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Published on: November 23, 2019

Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Orthopedic Surgery
Knee Kinematics

Background:

Understanding knee joint motion is crucial for diagnosing and treating injuries.
The role of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in knee stability is well-established, but its precise influence on rotational and translational movements requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify three-dimensional knee motion during flexion-extension under quadriceps loading.
To investigate the effect of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transaction on knee kinematics, specifically anterior-posterior displacement and tibial rotation.

Main Methods:

Fifteen knee specimens were tested in a 6-degrees-of-freedom machine simulating quadriceps-driven flexion-extension.
Biplanar radiography and bone sectioning were used to determine ligament insertion points and joint geometry.
Three-dimensional motion was recorded using transducer outputs before and after ACL transaction in ten specimens.

Main Results:

Consistent knee motion patterns were observed, characterized by 15° internal rotation and 8.6 mm anterior tibial displacement from 0° to 120° flexion.
ACL transaction led to abnormal, excessive anterior-posterior displacement in early flexion, which normalized in late flexion.
Tibial rotation patterns remained consistent, suggesting it is not primarily governed by the ACL.

Conclusions:

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a primary determinant of anterior-posterior tibial translation during knee flexion.
Tibial rotation during knee flexion is not significantly guided by the ACL under the tested conditions.
These findings enhance our understanding of knee biomechanics and ACL function in joint stability.