INTERIOR OF THE KNEE JOINT. 215 



articulation ; and the tendon of the popliteus pierces its outer 

 part. 



The (inter >'nr ligament or ligamentum patella (fig. 81, 2 ) is the Anterior 

 infrapatellar part of the tendon of insertion of the extensor muscle h s ament 

 of the knee. Alxnit two inches long, it is attached above is infra- 

 t> the apex and lower l>order of the patella; and below to the 

 nrl*' of the tibia. An expansion of the quadriceps extensor 

 c<>\vrs it ; and a bursa intervenes betweeii it and the front of the 

 tibia above the tubercle. 



Dissection (fig. 82). To see the reflections of the synovial mem- Open the 

 brane, raise the knee on blocks, and open the joint in front by an 



FIG. 82. INTERIOR OF THE KNEE-JOINT, THE CAPSULE OF THE KNEE- 

 JOINT CUT ACROSS, AND THE PATELLA THROWN DOWN, TO SHOW THE 



XAMED FOLDS OF THE SYNOYIAL SAC. 



". Mucous ligament. 



b. Internal, and c, external alar ligament. 



incision on eauh side above the patella. When the anterior portion 

 of the capsule with the patella is thrown down, a fold (mucous 

 ligament) will be seen extending from the intercondylar fossa of the 

 femur to a mass of fat below the patella. On each side of the 

 patella is another fold (alar ligament) also over some fat. 



The limb may be laid flat on the table, and some of the posterior an( j behind, 

 ligament removed, to show the pouches of the synovial membrane 

 which project behind over the condyles of the femur ; but the 

 limb is to be replaced in the former position before the parts 

 are learnt. 



The synovial m> ml>rane (fig. 82) lines the interior of the joint, synovial 

 and is continued to the margins of the articular surfaces of the membrane 

 bones. It invests the interarticular fibro-cartilages after the manner 



