Medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the knee

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the knee
The knee joint is surrounded by a joint capsule with ligaments strapping the inside and outside of the joint (collateral ligaments) as well as crossing within the joint (cruciate ligaments). These ligaments provide stability and strength to the knee joint. The medial collateral ligament of the knee is on the inner side of the joint, as indicated here: {{}}The meniscus is a c-shaped cartilage pad between the two joints formed by the femur and tibia. The meniscus acts as a smooth surface for the joint to move on. The knee joint is surrounded by fluid-filled sacs called bursae, which serve as gliding surfaces that reduce friction of the tendons. Below the kneecap, there is a large tendon (patellar tendon) which attaches to the front of the tibia bone. There are large blood vessels passing through the area behind the knee (referred to as the popliteal space). The large muscles of the thigh move the knee. In the front of the thigh the quadriceps muscles extend the knee joint. In the back of the thigh, the hamstring muscles flex the knee. The knee also rotates slightly under guidance of specific muscles of the thigh. The knee functions to allow movement of the leg and is critical to normal walking. The knee flexes (bends) normally to a maximum of 135 degrees and extends (straightens) to 0 degrees. The bursae, or fluid-filled sacs, serve as gliding surfaces for the tendons to reduce the force of friction as these tendons move. The knee is a weight-bearing joint. Each meniscus serves to evenly load the surface during weight- bearing and also adds in disbursing joint fluid for joint lubrication.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Medial collateral ligament — Ligament: Medial collateral ligament Diagram of the right knee. (Medial collateral ligament labeled at center right.) Latin ligamentum collaterale tibiale …   Wikipedia

  • MCL (medial collateral ligament) of the knee — The knee joint is surrounded by a joint capsule with ligaments strapping the inside and outside of the joint (collateral ligaments) as well as crossing within the joint (cruciate ligaments). These ligaments provide stability and strength to the… …   Medical dictionary

  • medial collateral ligament — n 1) a ligament that connects the medial epicondyle of the femur with the medial condyle and medial surface of the tibia and that helps to stabilize the knee by preventing lateral dislocation called also MCL, tibial collateral ligament compare… …   Medical dictionary

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  • Pes anserinus (leg) — ] * sartorius * gracilis * semitendinosusThe conjoined tendon lies superficial to the tibial insertion of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the knee.MnemonicA good mnemonic to remember the muscles which contribute tendons to this conjoint… …   Wikipedia

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