This tendon is called the patellar tendon . The patella fits into a groove called the patellar groove on the front of the femur. As we walk, the patella moves along this groove. If the patella does not glide smoothly in the patellar groove , it can greatly affect the overall function of the knee. These two ligaments help to keep the knee stable by holding the tibia in place and prevent it from moving too far front or back.
Ligaments are very important structures in maintaining the stability of a joint.
Two other ligaments, the collateral ligaments, work together on each side of the knee joint to keep the tibia from moving too far to either side. Two semi-circular cartilage structures sit between the femur and the tibia. These structures are the medial and lateral menisci . The menisci play a huge role in stabalizing the knee. While the ligaments keep the tibia from moving too far to any given side, this movement would be extremely hard for the ligaments to stop were it not for the menisci.