Anatomy of Torn Cartilage and Other Knee Injuries9936489

The human knee is a very complicated joint. Two significant bones arrive together at the knee -- the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia -- (shin bone). There is a 3rd bone situated at the knee -- the patella (knee cap), but it does not take part in the joint between the femur and the tibia tibia wt. The reduced end of the femur has two made to in shape into the concave surfaces on the tibia. But there are a number of items found in between.

Very first of all, the two the decrease end of the femur and the upper end of the tibia are coated with a layer of cartilage, referred to as articular cartilage. Secondly, there are two ring-like pads of cartilage inserted amongst the articular cartilage of the femur and the articular cartilage of the tibia. A single of these is found between the curved surfaces on the medial side (nearer to the midline of the body) of the knee and is named the medial meniscus. The other one particular is positioned among the curved surfaces on the lateral side (farther from the midline of the human body) of the knee and is referred to as the lateral meniscus. Thirdly, there is synovial fluid lubricating all of these cartilage surfaces.

There are also numerous ligaments connected with the knee. Ligaments are cords of connective tissue which pass from 1 bone to another across a joint. Their perform is to make the joint stronger. Two of these knee ligaments form an X in the location in between the medial meniscus and the lateral meniscus. They are named cruciate ligaments, from the latin term for an X. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) starts on the middle of the front of the tibia and attaches near the again of the femur tibia world trade. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) commences around the middle of the again of the tibia and attaches close to the entrance of the femur.

Two other ligaments of the knee are named collateral ligaments. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) commences on the medial aspect of the femur and attaches on the medial facet of the tibia. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) begins on the lateral side of the femur and attaches on the lateral aspect of the tibia. Two far more knee ligaments are known as popliteal ligaments. They the two begin on the again of the femur and offer power to the again of the knee. The patellar ligament starts at the patella (knee cap) and attaches to the entrance of the tibia. It adds toughness to the front of the knee. There are also other ligaments linked with the knee.

One particular variety of knee harm is referred to as a torn cartilage. This refers to a tear in possibly the medial meniscus or the lateral meniscus. The medial meniscus is much a lot more probably to be torn than the lateral meniscus. The explanation for this is that the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is really connected to the medial meniscus. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is also hooked up to the medial meniscus. If the knee is hit from the aspect or twisted, the power pulls on the medial collateral ligament (MCL), which in change pulls on the medial meniscus, which in turn pulls on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). As a outcome, the 2 ligaments might extend or tear. Considering that the meniscus is composed of cartilage, it can't extend so it tears.

A torn lateral meniscus is much much less probably to take place, but it is not not possible. The lateral meniscus wt tibia is not attached to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), but it is hooked up to the posterior cruciate ligament.

Yet another variety of knee injury is a dislocation. This refers to a predicament in which the upper finish of the tibia is pushed out of its standard situation, directly beneath the lower conclude of the femur. The tibia could be displaced in any course -- ahead, backward, to the medial facet, or the the lateral side, or it could be twisted in area. With a dislocation, there is the chance of hurt to any of the constructions associated with the knee or to any of the blood vessels in the knee area.