Tibia – tibial tuberosity

Tibia - tibial tuberosity

Anatomy

Large long bulge front of upper shaft, where patellar ligament (ie central part of common tendon of quadriceps femoris; rectus femoris, vastus medialis, intermedius and lateralis).

Clinical

The tuberosity has an apophysis and fractures can occur in active adolescents. Osgood-Schlatter disease/syndrome is an associated, usually self-limiting painful condition affecting active children 9-16 (boys 5:1 girls), during growth spurts, causing pain, tenderness and lumpiness at junction of patellar ligament and ischial tuberosity.

Vignette

The quads straighten the lower leg (extend knee) and stabilize the knee at footfall by limiting further flexion, antagonistic to gravity.

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