THE KNEE-JOINT 147 



The anterior or ligamentum patellae is the central portion 

 of the common tendon of the extensor muscles of the thigh. 

 It is a strong, ligamentous band, about three inches long, 

 attached above to the apex and the rough posterior surface 

 of the patella; below, to the lower part of the tubercle of the 

 tibia. The lateral portions of the extensor tendon blends 

 with the fascia later to form the lateral patellar ligaments. The 

 posterior surface is separated above from the synovial mem- 

 brane by a fold of fat; below, a synovial bursa separates it 

 from the tibia. 



The posterior ligament is a broad, flat band attached above 

 to the upper margin of the intercondyloid notch of the femur; 

 below, to the posterior margin of the head of the tibia. Passing 

 superficially, from the back part of the inner tuberosity of the 

 tibia, obliquely upward and outward to the posterior part 

 of the outer condyle of the femur, is the strong fasciculus 

 derived from the tendon of the semimembranosis. This is 

 called the posterior ligament of Winslow. It blends with the 

 posterior and internal lateral ligaments. 



The internal lateral ligament is a broad, flat, membranous 

 band, attached above to the internal tuberosity of the femur; 

 below, to the inner tuberosity and surface of the tibia to the 

 extent of about two inches. It is crossed at its lower part 

 by the tendons, from before backward, of the sartorius, gracilis, 

 and semimembranosus muscles. The external lateral ligaments 

 are divided into long and short external lateral ligaments. 

 The long external lateral arises from the external tuberosity 

 of the femur and passes to the head of the fibula. Its outer 

 surface is in relation with the tendon of the biceps femoris 

 muscle, which it splits. 



The short external lateral is attached above to the back part 

 of the external tuberosity of the femur, and behind and running 

 parallel with the long external lateral ligament is inserted 

 into the styloid process of the fibula. The popliteus muscle 

 and the inferior external articular vessels and nerves pass 

 beneath both the long and short ligaments. 



The crucial ligaments are two interosseous ligaments found 

 within the intercondyloid portion of the joint the anterior 

 or external and posterior or internal arcuate ligaments. 



The anterior or external is ;i Urn-hod to the depression in 



