ARTICULATION OF THE KNEE. 259 



arranged, that the internal Igament is covered by it also, and 

 of course, that this ligament is exterior to the synovial mem- 

 brane. 



There is a considerable quantity of adipose matter near the 

 termination of the aforesaid internal ligament, which is also 

 exterior to the synovial membrane : some of this can be pressed 

 out of the acetabulum, at the vacuity in the notch under the car- 

 tilaginous margin. 



Articulation of the Knee. 



The synovial membrane of the knee joint is, in some places, 

 without the support of a proper capsular ligament, or external 

 lamen, so that it is easier distinguished in this articulation than 

 in many others. 



Fig. 63.* It adheres firmly to the cartilaginous sur- 

 faces of the OS femoris, tibia, and patella, 

 and is reflected in the usual manner from 

 one to the other of these surfaces. It 

 arises closely from the edge of the cartilagi- 

 nous surface at the top of the tibia ; but on 

 the anterior part of the os femoris, it is 

 continued to some distance from the mar- 

 gin of the pulley-like surface, and the edges 

 of the condyles. On each of the portions 

 of the cartilaginous surfaces of the tibia is 

 a cartilage of a semilunar form, so placed 

 that its convex edge rests on the margin of the cartilaginous 

 surface, and its concave edge is internal. These cartilages are 



* The right knee joint laid open from the front, in order to show the internal 

 ligaments. 1. The cartilaginous surface of the lower extremity of the femur 

 with its two condyles; the figure 5 rests upon the external ; the figure 3 upon 

 the internal condyle. 2. The anterior crucial ligament. 3. The posterior cruciaj 

 ligament. 4. The transverse ligament. 5. The attachment of the ligamcntum 

 mucosum ; the rest has been removed. 6. The internal semi-lunar fibro-carti- 

 lage. 7. The external fibro-cartilage. 8. A part of the ligamentum patellae 

 turned down. 9. The bursa, situated between the ligamentum patella and the 

 head of the tibia. It has been laid open. 10. The anterior superior tibio-tibular 

 ligament. 10. The upper part of the interosseous membrane ; the opening 

 above this membrane is for the passage of the anterior tibial artery. 



