288 



THE ARTICULATIONS 



the fibrous expansion of the extensor tendon by a layer of fatty tissue. The 

 synovial membrane lines its deep surface, and holds it against the borders of the 

 semilunar menisci; it is also attached to the coronary ligaments. 



Internal Ligaments 



The anterior crucial ligament (figs. 319 and 320) is strong and cord-like. It 

 is attached to the medial half of the fossa in front of the intercondyloid eminence 

 of the tibia, and to the lateral border of the medial articular facet as far back as 

 the medial intercondyloid tubercle. It passes upward, backward, and laterally 

 to the back part of the medial surface of the lateral condyle of the femur. To 



Fig. 319. — Anterior View of the Internal Ligaments of the Knee-joint. 



Aperture leading into the 

 bursa beneath the quadri- 

 ceps extensor 



Attachment 

 capsule 



of articular 

 to femur 



Fatty tissue within cut edge 

 of the patellar synovial fold 



Anterior crucial ligament 

 Lateral meniscus 



Coronary ligament 





Posterior crucial ligament 



Medial meniscus 



-Transverse ligament 

 -Coronary ligament 



the tibia, it is fixed behind the anterior extremity of the medial semilunar menis- 

 cus. Behind and to the lateral side it has the anterior extremity of the lateral 

 meniscus, a few fibres of which blend with the lateral edge of the ligament. 



Its anterior fibres at the tibial end are strongest and longest, being fixed highest on the 

 femur; while the posterior, springing from the intercondyloid eminence, are shorter and more 

 oblique. Near the spine, a slip is sometimes given off to the posterior crucial ligament. 



The posterior crucial ligament (fig. 319, 320, and 322) is stronger and less 

 oblique than the anterior. It is fixed below to the greater portion of the fossa 

 behind the intercondyloid eminence of the tibia, esp(!cially the lateral and pos- 

 terior portion, and then medially along the posterior intercondyloid fossa; being 

 joined by fibres which arise betwcHm the intercondyloid tubercles, it ascends 

 to the anterior part of the lateral surface of the medial condyle of the femur, 

 having a wide crcscentic attachment 1.5 cm. (;^ in.) in extent just above the 

 articular surface. 



Behind, it is connected at the tibia directly with the posterior ligament, and a little higher 

 up by means of a quantity of interposed areolar tissue. In front it rests upon the posterior 



