The tuberosity of the tibia, tibial tuberosity or tibial tubercle is an elevation on the proximal, anterior aspect of the
tibia
The tibia (; : tibiae or tibias), also known as the shinbone or shankbone, is the larger, stronger, and anterior (frontal) of the two Leg bones, bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates (the other being the fibula, behind and to the outsi ...
, just below where the anterior surfaces of the
lateral
Lateral is a geometric term of location which may also refer to:
Biology and healthcare
* Lateral (anatomy), a term of location meaning "towards the side"
* Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, an intrinsic muscle of the larynx
* Lateral release ( ...
and
medial tibial condyles end.
Structure
The tuberosity of the tibia gives attachment to the
patellar ligament, which attaches to the
patella from where the
suprapatellar ligament forms the distal tendon of the
quadriceps femoris muscles. The quadriceps muscles consist of the
rectus femoris,
vastus lateralis,
vastus medialis
The vastus medialis (vastus internus or teardrop muscle) is an extensor muscle located medially in the thigh that extends the knee. The vastus medialis is part of the quadriceps muscle group.
Structure
The vastus medialis is a muscle presen ...
, and
vastus intermedius. These quadriceps muscles are innervated by the femoral nerve.
KneeHipPain (1998) The tibial tuberosity thus forms the terminal part of the large structure that acts as a lever to extend the knee-joint and prevents the knee from collapsing when the foot strikes the ground.
The two ligaments, the patella, and the tibial tuberosity are all superficial, easily palpable structures.
[Cipriano (2002), p 356]
Fractures
Tibial tuberosity fractures are infrequent fractures, most common in
adolescence, adolescents. In running and jumping movements, extreme contraction of the knee extensors can result in
avulsion fractures of the tuberosity apophysis.
[Lau & Ramachandran (2006)] A
cast
Cast may refer to:
Music
* Cast (band), an English alternative rock band
* Cast (Mexican band), a progressive Mexican rock band
* The Cast, a Scottish musical duo: Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis
* ''Cast'', a 2012 album by Trespassers William ...
is all that is required if the fragment is not displaced from its normal position on the tibia. However, if the fracture fragment is displaced, then surgery is necessary to allow for normal function.
[, Arthroscopy]
See also
Tenderness in the tibial tuberosity can arise from
Osgood-Schlatter disease or deep infrapatellar
bursitis. A bony prominence on the tibial tuberosity can be the result of ongoing Osgood-Schlatter’s irritation in an adolescent with open growth plates, or what remains of Osgood-Schlatter’s in adults.
[, Knee Exam.]
Additional images
File:Gray258.png, Bones of the right leg. Anterior surface.
File:Gray1238.png, Front and medial aspect of right thigh.
Notes
References
*
*
{{Authority control
Bones of the lower limb
Tibia