Introduction
The body part selected for this discussion is the knee. Like all other external body parts, it is covered with two skin layers—the epidermis and dermis—that are the first protective barriers for the internal structures (Marieb & Hoehn, 2018). The former consists of four major layers: stratum corneum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale (Marieb & Hoehn, 2018). The latter is a two-layer structure, including papillary and reticular layers (Marieb & Hoehn, 2018).
Anatomy of the Knee Joint
Underneath the skin, subcutaneous tissue, or hypodermis, performs insulating, protective, and attaching functions, but it is not part of the skin. The hypodermis connects the skin with the underlying tissues; in the case of the knee, it consists of muscles and mainly ligaments. Overall, the structure of the superficial layer of the knee is skin, hypodermis, fascia, prepatellar bursa, and superficial infrapatellar bursa (Flores et al., 2018). These layers cover the knee joint, which consists of the connection of bones and ligaments.
The knee joint is constructed by the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella, which come together through the intersection of specific ligaments and are separated by menisci. The patellar bone is wrapped in the tendons from the quadriceps and rectus femoris muscles (Flores et al., 2018). The four crucial ligaments in the knee joint are the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and lateral collateral ligament.
Conclusion
The fat pads, articular cartilage, and synovium are essential elements of this joint, lubricated by the synovial fluid (Flores et al., 2018). The main functions of this joint are gliding, rolling, flexion, extension, and medial and lateral rotation. The knee has a balanced construction of these components to withstand body pressure and be frequently used. Still, this joint is prone to various injuries from sports or increased load, like in cases of obesity, as well as susceptible to inflammatory damage from autoimmune diseases.
References
Flores, D. V., Mejía Gómez, C., & Pathria, M. N. (2018). Layered approach to the anterior knee: Normal anatomy and disorders associated with anterior knee pain. Radiographics: A Review Publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc, 38(7), 2069-2101. Web.
Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2018). Human anatomy and physiology (11th ed.). Pearson Education.