EXTERNAL LIGAMENTS OF KNEE. 



213 



and semimembranovsus, are to be followed to their insertion, a part 

 of each being left. 



ARTICULATION OF THE KNEE. The knee is the largest joint in Bones iu the 

 the 1)0(1 v, and is formed l>y the contiguous ends of the tibia and knee 'J int - 

 femur, and of the patella. The articular surfaces of the bones are 

 covered with cartilage, and are maintained in apposition by strong 

 and numerous ligaments. 



The capsule (fig. 80) is an aponeurotic covering on the front of Capsule : 

 the joint, which closes the wide intervals between the anterior and 

 the lateral ligaments ; and it is derived from the fascia lata united how formed, 

 with fibrous offsets of the extensor and flexor muscles. It covers 



FIG. SO. EXTERNAL ASPECT OF THE 

 KNEE-JOINT (BOURGEKY). 



1. Anterior ligament. 



2. External lateral ligament. 



3. Interosseous membrane. 



4. Lower extremity of the ilio- 

 tibial band of the fascia lata. forming 

 part of the capsule. 



-3 



FIG. 81. INTERNAL ASPECT OF THE 

 KNEE-JOINT (BOURGERY). 



1. Tendon of the extensor muscle, 

 ending below in the ligament of the 

 patella, 2. 



3. Internal lateral ligament. 



4. Inner part of the capsule. 



the anterior and the external lateral ligaments, being inserted below 

 into the heads of the tibia and fibula ; and it blends on the inner 

 side with the internal lateral ligament. It is separated from the 

 synovial membrane by the anterior ligament and by fat. 



Dissection. Four additional ligaments, anterior and posterior, 

 internal and external lateral, are situate at opposite parts of the 

 articulation. The posterior and the internal lateral ligaments will 

 appear on the removal of the areolar tissue from their surfaces ; but 

 the anterior and the external lateral are covered by the aponeurosis 

 on the front of the joint, and will not be laid bare till this has been 

 cut through. If there is a second external lateral band present, it 

 is not concealed by the aponeurosis. 



The external lateral ligament (fig. 80, 2 ) is round and cord-like. 

 It is attached to the tuberosity of the outer condyle of the femur, 



arrange- 

 ment. 



The external 

 ligaments. 



To define 

 the liga- 

 ments 

 how to 

 proceed. 



External 

 lateral liga- 

 ment is 

 small : 



