262 



KNEE JOINT. 



leg is bent, they are relaxed, and, therefore, admit of that 

 motion. 



1. Two strong lateral ligaments, one on each side of the knee ; 

 the external of which arises from the tubercle above the external 

 condyle of the os femoris, and is attached to the fibula a little 

 below its head ; and the internal, from the upper part and 

 tubercle of the internal condyle, and is inserted into the upper 

 and inner part of the tibia. 



2. The posterior ligament or ligament of Winslow, whose 

 fibres run obliquely from the external condyle to the back part 

 of the internal side of the head of the tibia. This ligament also 

 prevents the leg from being drawn too far forwards. 



3. The connexion of the tendons of the extensor muscles of 

 the leg, with this articulation, has a great effect upon it. Their 

 insertion into the patella places them in the situation of the 

 upper part of the anterior ligament, of which the very strong 

 ligament, that passes from the lower margin of the patella to the 

 tubercle of the tibia, is only the lower portion ; while the patella 

 may be considered as an inducted part of the ligament. The 

 tendons of the ham-string muscles, also, serve to strengthen the 

 articulation on the back and sides. 



Fig. 66.* — The fascia lata of the thigh as it passes 



down upon the leg, is thickened by a pro- 

 cess of the extensor tendons, and forms a 

 strong external investment or involucrum 

 to the knee joint. It constitutes in fact a 

 sort of capsular ligament to the joint ; it 

 closely embraces the patella and its liga- 

 ments, covers in and is partly blended with 

 the lateral ligaments, and is firmly attached 

 to the condyles. At the posterior part of 

 the joint, it forms a thin membrane, and 

 can scarcely be traced. Its place is there 



* The anterior view of the ligaments of the knee ioint. 1. The tendon of 

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

 ligament, or ligamentura patella;, near its insertion. 4, 4. The synovial mem- 

 brane. 5. The internal lateral ligament. 6. The long external lateral ligament. 

 7. The anterior superior tibio-fibular ligament 



