Knee joint - anatomy and detailed structure. Structure and diseases of the knee joint What bones make up the knee joint

Knee joint (Articulatio genus, Articulatio genus)– this is a complex osteochondral formation, consisting of many different elements, thanks to which the joint becomes mobile, functional and, at the same time, susceptible to many injuries. Let's figure out what the structure of the knee joint is.

As the anatomical atlas with photos shows us, the knee joint is trochlear-spherical in shape. In the unbent state, it works like a block-shaped one. The knee joint is formed by three bones: the distal (lower) epiphysis of the femur, the proximal (upper) epiphysis of the tibia and the patella (approx. epiphysis is the rounded end of the long bone that forms the joint).

The articular surface of the condyles (protrusions on the bony epiphysis) of the femur has an ellipsoidal shape, with the medial condyle larger than the lateral one. The shape of the condyles of the femur does not coincide with the shape of the condyles of the tibia, since the latter have a different curvature. This discrepancy is corrected by the medial and lateral meniscus, which is located between the femoral and tibial condyles.

The meniscus is a triangular cartilaginous plate, varying in shape and size. They are designed in such a way that the lateral (outer) edge is thickened and fuses with the articular capsule, as shown in the figure. The medial (inner) free edge is pointed and faces the joint cavity. The meniscus is attached anteriorly and posteriorly to the intercondylar eminence of the tibia. The transverse knee ligament connects the anterior edges of both menisci.

The articular capsule is of great importance in the knee joint. Most often, it is the cause of pain in the knee, limiting a person’s movement (note that the joint itself, in principle, cannot hurt, since there are no nerve endings there). As the picture shows us, the joint capsule is attached to the edge of the femur under the epicondyles, to the edge of the tibia and the patella. It is attached to the patella in such a way that its anterior surface is outside the joint cavity. Structure of the joint capsule: inside it there is a synovial membrane that lines the surface of the articulating bones to the line of articular cartilage.

The articular capsule of the knee joint forms a series of synovial bursae that lie along the muscles and tendons, but they do not communicate with the joint cavity itself. The largest bursa is the suprapatellar bursa, and it is located between the quadriceps tendon and the femur.

Knee ligaments

The knee joint is supported by ligaments, which are usually divided into two groups:

• extracapsular (ligaments located outside the joint cavity);
• intracapsular (ligaments inside the joint).

External ligaments include:

• The tibial collateral ligament, which originates from the medial condyle of the femur and runs downward, fuses with the joint capsule and medial meniscus, reaching the proximal epiphysis of the tibia;
• The fibular collateral ligament, somewhat narrower than the previous one, runs down from the lateral epicondyle of the femur and attaches to the lateral surface of the head of the fibula.
• Patellar ligament. Essentially, the patellar ligament is an extension of the quadriceps tendon. The tendon of this muscle approaches the patella, covers it on all sides, and continues downward, reaching the tibia. Some of the bundles of this tendon that reach the tibial tuberosity are called the patellar ligament.
• Lateral and medial suspensory ligament. It is also a continuation of the quadriceps tendon, but these bundles are directed from the patella to the external and internal condyles of the tibia.
• Supporting ligaments of the patella. Attached to the epicondyles of the femur. As their name suggests, these ligaments play an important role in holding the patella in the desired position.
• Oblique and arcuate popliteal ligament. The oblique ligament strengthens the posterior parts of the joint capsule and is part of the tendon bundles of the semimembranosus muscle. The ligament originates from the medial condyle of the tibia to the lateral condyle of the femur. The arcuate arises from the external condyle of the femur and the head of the fibula, attaches to the oblique popliteal ligament and goes further to the lateral condyle of the tibia.

Internal connections include:

• Cruciate ligaments. Here it is worth highlighting the anterior cruciate and posterior cruciate ligaments separately. The anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint originates from the inner surface of the external condyle of the femur, moves forward and is inserted medially on the anterior intercondylar field of the tibia. The posterior cruciate ligament, on the other hand, originates on the medial surface of the medial condyle of the femur, runs posteriorly medially, and inserts into the posterior intercondylar area of ​​the tibia. Regular excessive movements of the legs in the knees can lead to ruptures of the cruciate ligaments in them.
• There are three other ligaments related to the meniscus: the transverse knee ligament, the anterior and posterior meniscofemoral ligament.

Muscles of the knee joint

The muscles of the knee joint provide various movements in it, thanks to which a person has the ability to move. With a fixed thigh, the knee muscles provide flexion, extension, supination and pronation (rotation) of the lower leg, and with a fixed lower leg they provide supination, pronation, and forward and backward movement of the hip.

Flexion is ensured by the following muscle group:

• biceps femoris;
• semitendinosus and semimembranosus femoris;
• sartorius and gracilis muscles;
• popliteus muscle;
• calf muscle;
• plantar muscle.

Extension is provided by the following muscle group;

• rectus femoris muscle;
• vastus lateralis and vastus medialis;
• vastus intermedius muscle.

Pronation of the knee joint is ensured by the following muscles:

• semitendinosus and semimembranosus;
• sartorial and fine;
• medial head of the gastrocnemius;
• popliteal

Supination of the knee joint is provided by the biceps femoris muscle and the lateral head of the gastrocnemius.

So, in general terms, we have become familiar with the anatomy of the knee joint and what it is. A diagram of its operation and its detailed description are proposed in the following video story.

The basic organ of the human knee is the joint. That is why the anatomy of the knee joint is of great importance in order to have an idea of ​​the structural features, features of treatment and recovery if problems arise. After all, in the entire human musculoskeletal complex, the knee joint is the most vulnerable part. It is surrounded by muscle tissue and ligaments. The knee joint consists of three main elements - the patella, femur and tibia.

Structure of the knee joint

The anatomy of the knee joint is such that there is no friction between the bones. Thanks to this, the possible consequences of an impact are mitigated as much as possible. The cup protects the knee from external influences, which is why it so often gets injured and damaged. The joints themselves are also susceptible to a large number of diseases, especially if they are given constant loads and not taken care of.

The anatomy of the human knee joint is quite complex compared to all other joints in the body. Its uniqueness also lies in the fact that it is the largest. Thus, the human knee is special for two reasons at once - size and complexity. Because of this, treating the knee joint is always difficult.

Let's analyze the knee joint into its components. Firstly, these are bones and muscles. These are the key parts of the entire knee, and it is around them that the entire structure is formed. Secondly, the menisci. The mobility of the entire joint depends on them. Thirdly, these are nerve endings and a network of blood vessels. They revitalize the knee, making it sensitive to external influences. Fourthly, these are ligaments and cartilage. They are the connecting link between muscles and bones. They bear the main load when walking and exercising.

Functions of the knee joint

In order for the knee to bend smoothly, there is smooth cartilage. It carefully coats the parts of the bones where they come into contact with each other.

The interosseous space, in addition to cartilage, is filled with menisci. These are special layers that provide a shock-absorbing effect under load, while the contact area is maximized. But if cartilage is present between all bones, then menisci are only between the tibia and femur.

The bursa also plays an important role in the knee joint. It covers the joint from the outside. It contains joint fluid that lubricates the cartilage, thus improving gliding and minimizing stress and friction in the knee joint. This liquid also has another function - for cartilage it is also a nutrient, thanks to which they perform their unique functions.

Another important component of the knee joint that helps it perform its functions is the ligaments. They securely fix the bones at the joints and provide a tight fit to the menisci. There are ligaments in most human joints; in the knee they are called cruciate ligaments due to their shape. If even the slightest damage occurs, it is extremely important to treat the ligaments. In addition, you don’t even have to take medications for this. Tight fixing bandages and a state of rest are enough.

Bones of the knee joint

The anatomy of the bones of the knee joint includes only three bones. But mobility and, in general, a person’s standard of living depend on their integrity. The main protective function is performed by the kneecap, which covers the femur and tibia. The function of the knee joint is to connect these three components and ensure their maximum mobility, and it is also responsible for flexion and extension of the knee.

The anatomy of the knee joint and ligaments owes much of its integrity to the femur. This is where the main load falls. That is why it is located on top. The remaining tibia is located below and already takes on the load remaining from the femur.

No less important is the function of the kneecap, a special rounded bone very similar to a triangle. It is often called the patella.

Structure of the femur

The condyles play an important role in the femur. These are protrusions shaped like a ball. They cover the lower surface of the femur. At the same time, they come into contact with the upper surface of the tibia.

The surface of the bone is called the plateau. It consists of two halves - lateral and almond.

Patella device

The knee joint plays an important role in human life. The structure and anatomy of this organ is something that any doctor should know. The kneecap is of great importance in it. By and large, its main purpose is to move along a specially designated chute. It is located between the femoral condyles, which we discussed above. They form this gutter.

The kneecap, being the main protector of the knee from all kinds of damage, is itself susceptible to a large number of injuries. Therefore, the slightest problem requires immediate consultation with a specialist and treatment.

An equally important function is performed by cartilage, which covers the surfaces of contacting bones. Its thickness on average is about 6 millimeters. In children it is, of course, even less. Externally, the cartilage is white, smooth and very elastic.

Cartilage copes with the resulting friction, practically reducing it to nothing.

Functions of the knee ligaments

It is impossible to imagine the knee joint without ligaments. The structure and anatomy of this organ will be discussed below. The joint functions largely due to this connective tissue. At the same time, it is very dense.

Ligaments are necessary for the interaction of the bones of the knee joint with each other. Special literal ligaments for this purpose are located on the side of the joint, and collateral ligaments are located in the same area. They not only strengthen the entire joint as a whole, but also prevent the bones from moving to the side during particularly strong physical exertion.

The most famous and injury-prone human ligaments are the cruciate ligaments. They connect the ends of the tibia and femur. It is thanks to the cruciate ligaments that these bones fit tightly together.

Another function of the cruciate ligaments is to prevent bones from moving in unusual directions. Ligaments located in front and behind are also necessary to ensure that the bones do not move relative to each other.

The topographic anatomy of the knee joint determines the important function of the ligaments - ensuring the mobility of the bones and at the same time controlling their condition.

Menisci in the knee joint

In addition to ligaments, there are other formations in the knee joint that are similar in structure and perform similar functions. These are menisci. Their location is between the femur and tibia. In those places where they protrude from each side. Despite the fact that menisci, cartilage and ligaments are very similar in appearance and perform similar functions, there are fundamental differences between them. First of all, in the structure, but also in performing specific tasks.

Menisci, like the kneecap, are susceptible to injury and must be taken care of and treated promptly at the first sign of problems. If the meniscus is damaged, surgery may be required, including surgery.

Functions of the menisci

If you care about your health, it is important to know the structure of the human knee joint. The anatomy of this organ is not simple, but understanding what each of its components is responsible for will help you avoid serious health problems.

The menisci are required to perform two main functions. First, they maximize the area of ​​contact between the bones. Due to this, the load on each of them separately is reduced. The pressure per unit area of ​​the femur or tibia becomes less.

The second important function of the meniscus is to ensure the stable condition of the knee joint. In this case, the menisci provide invaluable assistance to the ligaments. In the event that the menisci do not perform any of these functions, it is necessary to urgently contact a specialist for qualified help.

The anatomy of the knee joint is such that the menisci play one of the most important roles in it. These are flexible beddings that behave as if spherical bones are being lowered onto a flat surface covered with pillows. The pillow in this case performs the function of softening, repeating the shape of a spherical surface. The human meniscus behaves the same way.

The menisci not only act as soft and comfortable pads between the bones, they also fill the voids that could arise at the points of contact between the bones. The menisci do not allow them to do this. This space filled by the menisci is located between the condyles and the plate of the tibia.

Only thanks to them is it possible to achieve uniform distribution of a person’s weight over the entire area of ​​the tibia plateau. If there were no menisci, then the entire weight would fall on only one point of the plateau, and it would be much more difficult for human knees to bear it. Therefore, the main thing they are needed for is to protect the joints from excessive stress.

How is the second important function of the menisci achieved - ensuring joint stability? The fact is that they have a shape resembling a crescent. And at the same time different in thickness.

In its central part, the menisci are much thinner than at the edges. This creates a kind of depression, thanks to which the joints become stable. Also, the menisci can change their shape due to elasticity, so the joint does not lose its stability both statically and dynamically.

Muscles in the knee joint

The muscles of the knee joint, the anatomy of which is represented by two groups, also play a significant role. They are divided into extensor and flexor muscles, each of which is responsible for a corresponding function.

The extensors are located in the front of the femur. Thanks to them, a person has mastered upright posture; when they contract, the knee joint straightens. The quadriceps muscle is important; its role is to extend the leg at the knee.

The flexor muscles are located at the back of the femur and are also important for the function of the joint.

Nerves in the knee joint

The anatomy of the knee joint also includes nerves that are responsible for delivering commands from the brain to certain muscle groups when they need to contract.

The largest nerve in the knee joint is the popliteal nerve. It is located in its back. If the nerves are damaged, most often due to injury, you should consult a doctor immediately.

The main popliteal nerve branches into the peroneal and tibial nerves. The first are located on the upper end of the fibula, the second - on the back of the tibia.

Elements of the knee joint

There are many more elements without which it is impossible to imagine the knee joint. The anatomy (photo we presented in the article) of this organ is studied in all medical educational institutions.

The circulatory system located in the knee joint plays an important role. It consists of vessels passing through the entire knee. In the back they branch in much the same way as the popliteal nerve does. In this part of the body, the two main blood vessels are the vein and the artery. To accurately identify them, they are called popliteal. The function of the artery is to supply the knee joint with fresh blood, the veins send waste blood back through the large

Everything in the human body is unique and interconnected. It grows and ages, fights infections, regenerates and creates its own kind. Each of its systems and specific organs perform their own work. The musculoskeletal system ensures human statics (certain body positions) and makes various movements possible. Thanks to bones, joints, and muscles, the human body has a “figure” and can run, jump, and swim.

The knee joint is one of the largest joints. Being part of the belt of the lower extremities, it provides both statics and dynamics of a person. Without its normal functionality, motor activity is sharply reduced, working capacity is reduced, and a person is forced to adjust his life, work and rest.

The anatomy of the human knee joint is very interesting and educational from the point of view of the rationality and brevity of its structure. There is nothing superfluous, each component is optimal, functional and fulfills its purpose. By analogy with other joints, the knee includes bones, cartilage, and an articular capsule. It is strengthened and protected by ligaments and tendons, has an extensive network of blood vessels and nerves, and is driven by powerful muscles.

Bones, ligaments and cartilage

The joint is of the condylar type, characterized by the presence of condyles on a convex bone and a flatter surface on the other. The structure of the knee joint allows mainly flexion and extension movements in it. The extension amplitude, that is, the deviation from the original position (straight axis of the thigh and lower leg), is normally no more than 5 degrees. If it is more, then this is a pathological extension, leading to knee deformation.

Flexion (active or passive) can go up to 160 degrees when the heel touches the buttocks. The greatest angle of flexion is observed in athletes or physically active individuals. Movements in other planes (abduction and adduction, inward and outward rotation) are carried out from a flexion position, the angle is not more than 20.

The anatomy of the human knee joint includes the femur, tibia, and patella. The fibula is located outside the joint, attached to the tibia by a small, immovable joint. The end of the femur has a convex surface and two round bony protrusions, the lateral and medial condyles. On the anterior surface there is a patellofemoral groove, along which the patella moves.

The condyles, the back of the patella and the flat surface of the tibia have a smooth and elastic coating. This is hyaline cartilage, without which the joint is impossible to function, with a thickness of up to 6 mm. The combination of elasticity and strength, resistance to compression, and the ability to recover with the help of chondrocytes are very important for long and uninterrupted functioning. Collagen in articular cartilage ensures free movement of bones in the joint capsule, reduces friction and dampens shock waves.

The ligaments of the knee joint provide connection between the bone elements and prevent their unnecessary dangerous movements. Two collateral ligaments hold the joint in the lateral plane. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments protect against dislocations in the anteroposterior direction.

The menisci of the joint are made of connective tissue, like ligaments, but they are denser and stronger. They are located between the condyles and the tibial plateau and save the articular cartilage from deformation and excessive stress. Injury to the menisci and their improper treatment lead to cartilage degeneration and failure of the entire joint.

The knee joint is surrounded by three joint capsules (bursae): on the back surface, on the inner surface and around the patella. The synovial fluid that fills them plays the role of a shock absorber during movements. It is also important as a lubricant between the cartilage-covered surfaces of bones. With injury or inflammation of the synovial bursae, bursitis of the knee joint develops.

Muscles, blood vessels and nerves

To provide basic movements in the knee joint, flexion and extension, there are flexor and extensor muscles. The quadriceps femoris, a very powerful muscle, is an extensor muscle. It starts from the ilium and, covering the anterior and lateral surfaces of the thigh, is attached to the patella, ending with a tendon on the tibial tuberosity.

This muscle extends the leg from any starting position, and also tilts the torso forward with a fixed limb. The patella serves to evenly redistribute the force of the quadriceps muscle.

Several muscles are used to bend the leg at the knee: biceps, sartorius, popliteal, semimembranosus, and gracilis. Pronation is provided by six muscles, and supination by two. These movements are only possible during knee flexion, when the collateral ligaments are in a free state. All muscle groups surrounding the knee joint act harmoniously and dynamically, making movements free and smooth.

The blood vessels supplying the joint are branches of large arteries: femoral, popliteal, deep femoral artery, anterior tibial. The resulting network of small vessels and capillaries envelops the entire joint, penetrating bones, ligaments, and muscles. Without good vascular permeability, normal joint function is impossible. Venous blood flows through superficial and deep veins running parallel to the arteries. Their network is most developed on the inner surface of the knee.

The innervation of the knee joint, or the presence of nerve fibers in it, is provided by three nerve trunks. These are the tibial, peroneal and sciatic nerves. Receptors are present in all elements of the joint. They immediately react in case of injury, inflammation, allergic process, or changes in trophism. Innervation is necessary for the synchronous operation of all mechanisms that ensure the functionality of the joint.

The health and performance of the knee joint depend on the condition of all its elements. It is necessary to protect them from injury, excessive stress and inflammation.

The knee joint is the largest and most complex in its structure in the human body; its anatomy is extremely complex, because it must not only support the weight of the entire owner’s body, but also allow him to perform a wide variety of movements: from dance steps to the lotus position in yoga.

knee structure

Such a complex structure, an abundance of ligaments, muscles, nerve endings and blood vessels makes the knee very vulnerable to various diseases and injuries. One of the most common causes of disability is injuries to this joint.

It consists of the following formations:

1. bones - femur, tibia and patella,
2. nerve endings and blood vessels,
3. cruciate ligaments.

Functions

The knee joint in its structure is close to hinge joints. This allows not only to bend and straighten the lower leg, but also to perform pronation (inward rotation) and supination (outward movement), turning the bones of the lower leg.

Also, when flexing, the ligaments relax, and this makes it possible not only to rotate the lower leg, but also to make rotational and circular movements.

Bone components

The knee joint consists of the femur and tibia, these tubular bones are connected to each other by a system of ligaments and muscles, in addition, in the upper part of the knee there is a rounded bone - the patella or kneecap.

The femur ends in two spherical formations - the femoral condyles and, together with the flat surface of the tibia, form a connection - the tibial plateau.

bone components of the knee

The patella is attached to the main bones by ligaments and is located in front of the kneecap. Its movements are ensured by sliding along special grooves on the femoral condyles - the pallofemoral recess. All 3 surfaces are covered with a thick layer of cartilage tissue, its thickness reaches 5-6 mm, which provides shock absorption and reduces thorns during movement.

Connecting components

The main ligaments, together with the bones that make up the knee joint, are the cruciate ligaments. In addition to them, on the sides there are lateral collateral ligaments - medial and lateral. Inside there are the most powerful connective tissue formations - the cruciate ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament connects the femur and the anterior surface of the tibia. It prevents the tibia from moving forward during movement.

The posterior cruciate ligament does the same thing, preventing the tibia from moving posterior to the femur. Ligaments provide connection between bones during movement and help to maintain it; rupture of the ligaments leads to the inability to make voluntary movements and lean on the injured leg.

knee ligaments

In addition to the ligaments, the knee joint contains two more connective tissue formations that separate the cartilaginous surfaces of the femur and tibia - the menisci, which are very important for its normal functioning.

Menisci are often called cartilage, but in their structure they are closer to ligaments. Menisci are rounded plates of connective tissue found between the femur and the tibial plateau. They help to correctly distribute the weight of a person’s body, transferring it to a large surface and, in addition, stabilize the entire knee joint.

Their importance for the normal functioning of the joint is easy to understand by looking at the structure of the human knee - the photo makes it possible to see the menisci located between the spherical epiphysis of the femur (lower part) and the flat surface of the tibia.

photo of meniscus

Knee muscles

The muscles located around the joint and ensuring its functioning can be divided into three main groups:

• anterior muscle group - hip flexors - quadriceps and sartorius muscles,
• posterior group – extensors – biceps, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles,
• medial (inner) group - hip adductors - thin and adductor magnus muscles.

knee muscles

• One of the most powerful muscles in the human body is the quadriceps. It is divided into 4 independent muscles, located on the front surface of the femur and attached to the kneecap. There, the muscle tendon turns into a ligament and connects to the tibial tuberosity. The intermedius muscle, one of the branches of the quadriceps muscle, also attaches to the knee capsule and forms the knee muscle. Contraction of this muscle promotes leg extension and hip flexion.
• The sartorius muscle is also part of the muscles of the knee joint. It starts from the anterior iliac axis, crosses the surface of the femur and goes along the inner surface to the knee. There it goes around it from the inside and attaches to the tuberosity of the tibia. This muscle is two-part and therefore participates in flexion of both the thigh and lower leg, as well as in the inward and outward movement of the lower leg.
• Thin muscle - starts from the pubic joint, goes down and attaches to the knee joint. It helps with hip adduction and ankle flexion.

In addition to these muscles, the tendons of the biceps femoris, tendinous, semimembranosus and popliteus muscles pass through the knee joint. They provide adducting and abducting movements of the lower leg. The popliteus muscle is located directly behind the knee and helps with flexion and internal rotation.

Innervation and blood supply of the knee

The knee joint is innervated by rami, which divides into several parts and innervates the lower leg, foot and knee. The knee joint itself is innervated by the popliteal nerve, it is located behind it, and is divided into the tibial and peroneal branches.

knee nerves

The tibial nerve is located on the back of the leg, and the peroneal nerve is located in front. They provide sensory and motor innervation to the lower leg.

The blood supply to the knee joint is carried out using the popliteal arteries and veins, whose course follows the course of the nerve endings.

blood supply to the knee

What are the risks of injury?

Depending on which component of the knee is damaged, injuries, diseases and pathologies are classified. It can be:

• dislocations,
• fractures of the bones surrounding the joint,
• inflammatory and dystrophic diseases,
• damage to the tissues inside and around the joint, that is, cartilage, capsules, ligaments, and adipose tissue.

The knee is one of the large joints of the human body. Due to the size of the joint, the knee can withstand maximum loads. The structural features of the joint allow a person to move and walk.

The anatomical structure of the knee joint is quite complex, and therefore the knee is very vulnerable, susceptible to mechanical injuries and pathological processes.

Important! If damage occurs to one of the constituent elements of the knee joint, the period of treatment and rehabilitation will be long and difficult.

Anatomy of the knee

reading information

The basis of the structure of the knee joint is the articulation of two main bones - the femur and the tibia. The thickened ends of the bones are called condyles. The condyles are covered with smooth hyaline cartilage, which facilitates the sliding of bones in the joint. The third bone of the knee joint is the patella (kneecap), located in the thickness of the tendon of the femoral muscle.

The bone elements are surrounded by a cartilaginous plate. This is a formation whose thickness is 5-6 mm. The structure of cartilage is smooth and elastic, resulting in ideal conditions for ensuring the functionality of the joint.

All bony parts of the joint are held together by ligaments. There are many of them, they are located both in the articular cavity and outside it. Main ligaments of the knee joint:

• collateral (tibia and fibula);
• popliteal (arcuate and oblique);
• medial;
• lateral;
• patellar ligament;
• cruciform (front and back).

Ligaments unite the elements of the joint into a single whole, at the same time making the joint not a monolith, but a movable joint.

Joint capsule (bursa)

Outside, the joint is surrounded by a connective tissue capsule, which has 2 membranes: outer (fibrous) and internal (synovial). The inner membrane forms folds and turns (bursae) in several places in the articular cavity. The bursae produce joint fluid, which provides lubrication and nutrition to the cartilage.

The anatomy of the knee joint bursa is complex, but thanks to it, a person has the ability to walk, jump and sit down.

Menisci

The structure of the human knee joint also includes menisci - cartilages that ensure uniform distribution of body weight. The location of the menisci is between the ends of the femur and tibia.

Meniscus tissue is more elastic than hyaline cartilage tissue. In fact, the meniscus is a kind of pad that ensures the full functioning of the knee.

Important! The anatomy of the knee joint is such that all its elements are in close interaction with each other, and as soon as something fails, the dysfunction spreads to the entire joint.

Muscle corset

Movements in the knee joint are impossible without the participation of muscles. The muscles of the knee joint provide the main function of the leg - walking. All muscles adjacent to the knee are divided into 4 groups.

1. Group that provides flexion of the lower leg: biceps, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles of the thigh; tailoring; gastrocnemius; popliteal; thin.
2. Extensor muscle group: quadriceps femoris; rectus, intermedius, lateral and medial muscles of the thigh.
3. Group performing pronation (inward rotation of the hip): popliteus muscle; tailoring; thin.
4. Group providing hip supination (outward rotation): biceps femoris muscle; partially calf muscle.

The coordinated activity of all these muscles is made possible by the innervation of the knee joint.

Supply of cells and tissues with nerve fibers

Innervation of the knee joint, that is, the provision of all its cells and tissues with nerve fibers, is carried out with the participation of the following nerves:

• The ischial, popliteal, tibial and fibular joints perform the function of maintaining the sensitivity of the knee joint.
• The popliteal nerve is divided into the peroneal and tibial nerves.
• The tibial nerve runs along the back of the knee and is attached by branches of the knee joint.
• The peroneal nerve is located on the front of the kneecap.
• The nerve fibers of the meniscus intertwine with the blood vessels of the knee. Pass through the entire cartilaginous body.

Despite the fact that the nerve fibers in the knee joint do not have a very developed structure, they are of great importance for the proper functioning of the lower limb.

Important! The structure of the knee joint is such that as soon as at least one nerve ending fails, due to its deformation, the development of sclerosis begins.

Blood supply to the knee joint

In the knee joint, the vessels form a complex plexus, connecting with each other by anastomoses. Thanks to the arteries (knee and popliteal), oxygen and nutrients are supplied to all cells of the knee.

A network of veins runs from the joint capsule, penetrating the periarticular tissue.

All major blood vessels are located along the back of the knee joint.

They say about the knee joints that they are the strongest and most resilient in the human body, but they are the site of frequent occurrences of inflammatory foci and mechanical damage. The most common knee injuries involve torn meniscus and ligament damage.