KNEE JOINT. 131 



part of the head of the fibula. The short external lateral ligament 

 is an irregular fasciculus situated behind the pre- 

 ceding, arising from the external condyle near Fl - 59 -* 

 the origin of the head of the gastrocnemius 

 muscle, and inserted into the posterior part of 

 the head of the fibula. It is firmly connected 

 with the external semilunar fibro-cartilage, and 

 appears principally intended to connect that 

 cartilage with the fibula. The long external 

 lateral ligament is covered in by the tendon of 

 the biceps, and has passing beneath it the tendon 

 of the origin of the popliteus muscle, and the in- 

 ferior external articular artery. 



The true ligaments within the joint are the 

 crucial, transverse and coronary. 



The anterior or external crucial ligament, 

 arises from the depression upon the head of the 

 tibia in front of the spinous process, and passes upwards and back- 

 wards to be inserted into the inner surface of the outer condyle of 

 the femur, as far as its posterior border. It is smaller than the 

 posterior. 



The posterior, or internal crucial ligament, arises from the depres- 

 sion upon the head of the tibia, behind the spinous process, and 

 passes upwards and forwards to be inserted into the inner condyle 

 of the femur. ' This ligament is less oblique and larger than the 

 anterior. 



The transverse ligament is a small slip of fibres which extends 

 transversely from the external semilunar fibro-cartilage, near its 

 anterior extremity, to the anterior convexity of the internal car- 

 tilage. 



The coronary ligaments are the short fibres by which the convex 

 borders of the semilunar cartilages are connected to the head of the 

 tibia, and to the ligaments surrounding the joint. 



The semilunar fibro-cartilages, are two falciform plates of fibro- 

 cartilage, situated around the margin of the head of the tibia, and 

 serving to deepen the surface of articulation for the condyles of the 

 femur. They are thick along their convex border, and thin and 

 sharp along the concave edge. 



The internal semilunar fibro-cartilage forms an oval cup for the 

 reception of the internal condyle ; it is connected by its convex 

 border to the head of the tibia, and to the internal and posterior 



* A posterior view of the ligaments of the knee-joint. 1. The fasciculus of the liga- 

 mentum posticum Winslowi, which is derived from, 2. The tendon of the semi-mem- 

 branosus muscle ; the latter is cut short. 3. The process of the tendon which spreads 

 out in the fascia of the popliteus muscle. 4. The process which is sent inwards beneath 

 the internal lateral ligament. 5. The posterior part of the internal lateral ligament. 6. 

 The long external lateral ligament. 7. The short external lateral ligament. 8. The 

 tendon of the popliteus muscle cut short. 9. The posterior superior tibio-fibular 

 ligament. 



