354 Anatomy Applied to Medicine and Smgery. 



Landmarks. In the middle of the anterior aspect 

 of the joint is the patella. Above the patella is a depres- 

 sion which corresponds to the tendon of the quadriceps ex- 

 tensor, while, continued downwards from it, is the ridge 

 formed by the ligamentum patellae. On either side is a 

 hollow corresponding to the insertion of the vasti mus- 

 cles and to the anterior part of the capsule of the joint. 

 When the limb is extended, the upper border of the patella 

 is on a level with a point, about three-quarters of an inch 

 above the upper limit of the articular surface of the femur ; 

 whereas, the lower border is opposite a point, about a quar- 

 ter of an inch below the line of the joint. On the inner 

 aspect of the joint, a prominence, which is rounded in 

 form, can be felt. This is the internal condyle of the fe- 

 mur. The summit of this condyle is termed the inner 

 tuberosity and is situated about one and a quarter inches 

 above the line of the articulation. On the upper part of 

 the condyle another prominence is evident the adductor 

 tubercle, which receives the insertion of the tendon of the 

 adductor magnus. Immediately beneath this condyle is 

 the depression, between the femur and the tibia, which in- 

 dicates the line of the articulation on the inner side of the 

 joint. The thumb nail, pressed along this line, will elicit 

 tenderness in injury to the internal semilunar cartilage, or 

 will ascertain whether the cartilage be absent or not, from 

 its position, in cases presenting symptoms of a moveable 

 body within the joint. Externally, the finger comes in 

 contact with the prominence formed by the tuber- 

 osity of the external condyle, while, below it, is 

 a slight depression from which arises the tendon 

 of the popliteus muscle. Immediately beneath this 

 depression, a thin ledge is evident (the lower margin of 

 the condyle), and below this is the external line of the 

 articulation, with the tuberosity of the tibia and the head 

 of the fibula immediately beneath. The relative situation 



