CHAPTER XIV. 



LAMENESS IN THE REGION OF THE 

 FEMORO-TIBIAL ARTICtJLATION, 



Audomij. — This is an imperfect liiuge-joiut. It has two 

 semi-lunar fibro-cartilages interposed between the condyles 

 of the femar and tibial facets. The patella is united to the 

 tibia by three ligaments, situated in front of the articulation. 

 The external patellar ligament is attached to the anterior 

 tuberosity of the tibia ; superiorly it is fixed to the anterior 

 fa(!e of the patella. It is also joined to the internal ligament 

 by an aponeurotic extension of the fascia lata. The internal 

 patellar ligament is attached inferiorly to the inner side of 

 the anterior tuberosity of the tibia. Superiorly it is fixed 

 to a prominence inside the patella. The middle patellar 

 ligament, between the other two, leaves the anterior face of 

 the patella, and is lodged in the fossa in the middle of the 

 anterior tuberosity of the tibia. The femoro-patellar capsule, 

 a membranous expansion, maintains the patella against the 

 femoral trochlea, covering above and laterally the superior 

 synovial membrane. This capsule is attached to the borders 

 of the trochlea and periphery of the patella. The femoro- 

 tibial ligaments consist of two lateral ones, the external one 

 running between the external condyle of the femur and 

 fibula, the internal one between the internal condyle and 

 tibia. The posterior ligament is a capsular one, formed by 

 two layers ; the superficial layer is fixed above to the posterior 

 face of the femur, and belcw to the gastrocnemii ; the deep 

 layer surrounds the condyles of the femur. After being 



