130 



KNEE JOINT. 



Fig. 58 * 



a synovial membrane, which is still more improperly named the 

 capsular ligament. 



The anterior ligament or ligamentum patellae, 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, it has no title to consideration, either as a ligament 

 of the knee joint or as a ligament of the patella. 



A small bursa mucosa is situated between the 

 ligamentum patellae, near to its insertion, and the 

 front of the tibia, and another of larger size is 

 placed between the patella and the fascia lata, 

 which extends over its anterior surface. 



The posterior ligament ligamentum posticum 

 Winslowi,^ 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 strongest of these fasci- 

 culi is that which is derived from the tendon of the 

 semimembranosus 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 strong rounded cord, which descends from the posterior part of 

 the tubercle upon the external condyle of the femur to the outer 



* The 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 memhrane. 5. The internal 

 lateral ligament. 6. The long external lateral ligament. 7. The anterior superior 

 tibio-fibular ligament. 



t In a recent dissection in Sydenham College, Mr. Joseph Chapman observed a small 

 fleshy muscle, connected by one extremity with the external condyle of the femur, and 

 inserted by the other into that portion of this ligament which is derived from the tendon 

 of the semimembranosus. 



