PATIENT EDUCATION - Knee Joint Anatomy

Understanding knee joint anatomy is important for knee-injured patients and their immediate family members, who might be assisting in the patient's recovery process. This basic knowledge may also help relieve some of the initial apprehension regarding the injury and treatment. The rehabilitation process will be enhanced if the patient is aware of what structures were damaged by the initial injury, and what measures were undertaken to restore stability and function. The following is an illustrated overview of the anatomy of the knee. Front and back views of the knee seen on the right side of this page will provide important information about the main structures that provide knee joint stability.

The above lateral view of the knee is drawn in a midlateral section to give a clearer view of the menisci and femoral condyles. The blue areas represent bursae.

The Medial and Lateral Meniscus, as seen on the left, serve to support the articular condyles of the distal femur and provide near frictionless knee flexion. The two concave surfaces formed by the menisci cradle and support the femur.