I 



THE KNEE-JOINT 



Bursae. The bursse near the knee-joint are the following: In front there are four bursae: a 

 large one is interposed between the patella and the skin, a small one between the upper part of 

 the tibia and the ligamentum patellae, a third between the lower part of the tuberosity of the 

 tibia and the skin, and a fourth between the anterior surface of the lower part of the femur and 

 the deep surface of the Quadriceps femoris, usually communicating with the knee-joint. Laterally 

 there are four bursse: (1) one (which sometimes communicates with the joint) between the 

 lateral head of the Gastrocnemius and the capsule; (2) one between the fibular collateral ligament 

 and the tendon of the Biceps; (3) one between the fibular collateral ligament and the tendon of 

 the Popliteus (this is sometimes only an expansion from the next bursa); (4) one between the 

 tendon of the Popliteus and the lateral condyle of the femur, usually an extension from the 

 synovial membrane of the joint. Medially, there are five bursse: (1) one between the medial 

 head of the Gastrocnemius and the capsule; this sends a prolongation between the tendon of the 



Quadriceps 

 femoris 



Fibular collateral 



ligament 

 Tendon of Popliteus 



Lateral meniscus 



Ligamentum 

 W patella 



Fio. 351. Capsule of right knee-joint (distended). Lateral aspect. 



medial head of the Gastrocnemius and the tendon of the Semimembranosus and often communi- 

 cates with the joint; (2) one superficial to the tibial collateral ligament, between it and the tendons 

 of the Sartorius, Gracilis, and Semitendinosus; (3) one deep to the tibial collateral ligament, 

 between it and the tendon of the Semimembranosus (this is sometimes only an expansion 

 from the next bursa) ; (4) one between the tendon of the Semimembranosus and the head of 

 the tibia; (5) occasionally there is a bursa between the tendons of the Semimembranosus and 

 Semitendinosus. 



Structures Around the Joint. In front, and at the sides, is the Quadriceps femoris; laterally 

 the tendons of the Biceps femoris and Popliteus and the common peroneal nerve; medially, 

 the Sartorius, Gracilis, Semitendinosus, and Semimembranosus; behind, the popliteal vessels 

 and the tibial nerve, Popliteus, Plantaris, and medial and lateral heads of the Gastrocnemius, 

 some lymph glands, and fat. 



The arteries supplying the joint are the highest genicular (anastomotica magna), a branch 



