5.3 Preview: Joints (The Skeletal Story - Knee)

By the end of this activity, students will be able to:

• Identify and accurately label key skeletal and muscular components of the knee joint

• Explain how muscle contraction produces movement at a synovial joint

• Analyze how structure (bone shape, muscle attachment, tendon placement) relates to function

• Predict how injury or altered mechanics impacts movement and joint stability

Directions: 

(See also - 6.1 Preview): In your 6.1 mod. guide, a blank sheet (or digital canvas), draw a lateral or anterior view of the knee joint. (please examine both - two group members will be lateral, two will cover anterior). You may use any resource but VisibleBody is recommended. 

1) Accurately sketch and label the following skeletal components: Femur (distal end), Tibia (proximal end), Fibula (head), Patella

2) Include and label:Articular cartilage, Medial and lateral menisci, Major ligaments:ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL. 

6.1 Preview: Joints (The Muscular Story - Knee)

Instructions:

Using a transparent overlay (tracing paper, acetate, or digital layer):

1) Add the major muscles that act on the knee joint, including: Quadriceps group (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius) Hamstring group (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus) Gastrocnemius, Sartorius

2) Clearly label: Muscle origin, Muscle insertion, and Tendons (quadriceps tendon, patellar ligament)

3) Use arrows to show direction of force during contraction.

Checkpoint Prompt:
Explain why the patella is considered a sesamoid bone and how it improves the efficiency of knee extension.

5.3 Lesson:

• Please record all notes in your notebook. 

• The stages of skeletal healing can be completed by using the skeletal fractures worksheet (see backside). 

Joint examples PowerPoint

Essential Vocab: bone resorption, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, fracture, bony callus, Rickets, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and all other bones 

Module Learning Targets: 

3.1 Identify the major forms of bone fractures 

3.2 – Discuss the factors that promote or disturb bone homeostasis

3.3 – Name and discuss common joint disease and injuries

3.4 - Describe the steps in the bone fracture healing process.