Tibiofemoral joint

Last revised by Frank Gaillard on 29 May 2017

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Hapugoda S, Kang O, Weerakkody Y, Tibiofemoral joint. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 23 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-45878

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-45878

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/45878

rID:

45878

Article created:

12 Jun 2016, Sachi Hapugoda

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Sachi Hapugoda had no recorded disclosures.

View Sachi Hapugoda's current disclosures

Last revised:

29 May 2017, Frank Gaillard ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.

View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures

Revisions:

3 times, by 3 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal

Sections:

Anatomy

Synonyms:

Femorotibial articulation
Tibiofemoral joints
Femorotibial articulations
Tibiofemoral articulations
Tibiofemoral articulation
Femorotibial joint

The tibiofemoral joint is a modified hinge synovial joint between the distal femur and the proximal tibia.

articulation: modified hinge joint between the medial and lateral condyles of the femur and the tibial condyles
joint: knee
ligaments: transverse ligament of the knee, medial and lateral menisci, anterior and posterior cruciate, arcuate and oblique popliteal, coronary, and posterior meniscofemoral, popliteal, and medial and lateral collateral ligaments ¹
movements: knee flexion, extension, and internal and external rotation (during knee flexion)
blood supply: branches of femoral, popliteal, and circumflex fibular arteries, and posterior recurrent branches of posterior tibial artery ¹
innervation: branches of femoral, obturator, common fibular, tibial, and saphenous nerves ¹

Gross anatomy

Articulation

The tibiofemoral joint is a hinge synovial joint that joins the distal femur to the proximal tibia.

The articulation occurs between the medial and lateral femoral condyles and the tibial condyles.

The medial and lateral menisci increase the depth and stability, and compressive force bearing and absorption of the joint.

The joint capsule consists of a thin fibrous sheath, which attaches at the distal femur and joins at the proximal tibia, enclosing the synovial fluid¹.

Muscles

There are a number of different muscles that permit flexion, extension, and internal and external rotation of the knee joint. See: movements of the knee.

Special structures

Bursae

Twelve bursae exist near the tibiofemoral joint. These are located anterior, lateral, medial, and posterior to the tibiofemoral joint, and may communicate or non-communicate with the joint. See: knee bursae.

Blood supply

Branches of the femoral, popliteal, and circumflex fibular arteries, and posterior recurrent branches of posterior tibial artery form a peri-articular genicular anastomosis, which in turn provides blood supply to the tibiofemoral joint¹.