1. On the Mechanism of the Knee Joint

Extract

After alluding to the comparatively superficial manner in which physiologists, with the exception of the brothers Weber, have hither-to investigated the structure and movements of the joints, the author gave an abstract of the general results which he had formerly obtained in an examination of the knee-joint, made with reference to Meyer's valuable observations. He had found that, as stated by Meyer, the thigh and leg rotate on one another in opposite directions,—at the close of extension, and at the commencement of flexion; and that the co-ordinated movements in the patella, the ligaments, and muscles correspond generally with the account given by that observer; but in addition he had ascertained what had previously escaped notice,

1. That the articular surfaces of the femur, tibia, and patella are not continuous but faceted surfaces.