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.

6.1 Lesson:

• Slides 1-5 will be used for the muscle type comparison chart.

• Record slides 6-8, 10, 12

Essential Vocab: Muscle fibers, skeletal muscle fibers, voluntary muscle, cardiac muscle tissue, smooth muscle tissue, excitability, responsiveness, irritability, contractility, extensibility,elasticity, Articulation, Synarthroses,Amphiarthroses, Diarthroses, Fibrous joint, Cartilaginous joint, Synovial joint, Sutures, Syndesmosis, Gomphoses (bolded terms are linked to JOINTS)

Module Learning Targets: 

1.1 – Describe the similarities and differences in the structure and function of the three types of muscle tissue and indicate where they are found in the body.

1.2- List important functions of the muscle tissue. 

1.3 – Name the three major categories of joints and compare the movement (amount and type) of each.

1.4 – Discuss the factors that promote or disturb bone homeostasis

1.5 – Name and discuss common joint disease and injuries (bolded objectives are linked to JOINTS)