KNEE ANATOMY

KNEE TOPICS

*These pages are for informational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult a physician for specific diagnosis and treatment options.*

The knee is a hinged joint that is composed of bones, ligaments and cartilage. The bones are the femur (thigh bone), tibia (leg bone) and patella (kneecap). These bony surfaces are covered with articular cartilage. Articular cartilage is a tough rubbery type tissue that acts as a protective covering for the bone and also helps to facilitate smooth movement when your knee bends. Between your femur and tibia is also another type of cartilage known as meniscus. A C-shaped type of cartilage, meniscus acts as a shock absorber between these bones.

Four knee ligaments help to maintain the stability of the knee joint and help keep it in place when bending your knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are found within the knee joint. The ACL helps to prevent the femur from extending too far forward. The PCL helps to prevent the femur from moving too far backward. The other two ligaments are found on the outer part of your knee. and controls side to side stability. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is found on the inner part of your knee. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is found on the outer part of your knee.