148 



KNEE JOINT. 



Fig. 69.* 



synovial membrane, which is still more improperly named the capsular 

 ligament. 



The anterior ligament^ or ligamentum patella, is the prolongation of 

 the tendon of the extensor muscles of the thigh downwards to the 

 tubercle of the tibia. It is, therefore, no ligament ; and, as we have 

 before stated, that the patella is simply a sesamoid bone, developed in 

 the tendon of the extensor muscles for the 

 defence of the front of the knee joint, the 

 ligamentum patellae has no title to consider- 

 ation, either as a ligament of the knee joint 

 or as a ligament of the patella. 



A small bursa mucosa is situated be- 

 tween the ligamentum patellae, near its 

 insertion and the front of the tibia, and 

 another of larger size is placed between the 

 anterior surface of the patella and the fascia 

 lata. 



The posterior ligament, ligamentum posti- 

 cum Winslowii, is a broad expansion of 

 ligamentous fibres which covers the whole 

 of the posterior part of the joint. It is 

 divisible into two lateral portions which 

 invest the condyles of the femur, and a 

 central portion which is depressed, and 

 formed by the interlacement of fasciculi 

 passing in different directions. The strong- 

 est of these fasciculi is that which is de- 

 rived from the tendon of the semi-membranosus and passes obliquely 

 upwards and outwards, from the posterior part of the inner tuberosity 

 of the tibia to the external condyle. Other accessory fasciculi are 

 given off by the tendon of the popliteus and by the heads of the 

 gastrocnemius. The middle portion of the ligament supports the 

 popliteal artery and vein, and is perforated by several openings for 

 the passage of branches of the azygos articular artery, and for the 

 nerves of the joint. 



The internal lateral ligament is a broad and trapezoid layer of 

 ligamentous fibres, attached above to the tubercle on the internal 

 condyle of the femur, and below to the side of the inner tuberosity 

 of the tibia. It is crossed at its lower part by the tendons of the 

 inner hamstring from which it is separated by a synovial bursa, and it 

 covers in the anterior slip of the semi-membranosus tendon and the 

 inferior internal articular artery. 



External lateral ligaments. The long external lateral ligament is a 



* An anterior view of the ligaments of the knee joint. 1. The tendon of 

 the quadriceps extensor muscle of the leg. 2. The patella. 3. The anterior 

 ligament, or ligamentum patellae, near its insertion. 4, 4. The synovial 

 membrane. 5. The internal lateral ligament. 6. The long external 'lateral 

 ligament. 7. The anterior superior tibio-fibular ligament. 



