Are you teaching the skeletal of muscular system and want a way to make knee anatomy more engaging for your students? This worksheet explores the most common knee injury in sports, a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament. This injury occurs when an extreme twisting of the knee tears the ligament that stabilizes the joint.

Students read about how these injuries happen and how they are repaired. Many students in high school may know someone who has had this procedure. This year, I had two athletes in crutches after an ACL repair. They even shared their experiences with the other students in the class!

The reading passage, written for high school students explores:

• The anatomy of the knee joint, including the femur, tibia, and major ligaments
• How ACL injuries occur during movement and sports
• The surgical repair process, including graft options and rehabilitation
• The importance of prevention and strengthening exercises

Students also color knee diagram showing the ligaments of the joint, helping them visualize how the ACL supports stability and movement. A set of comprehension questions reinforces key anatomy concepts and ensures students understand both structure and function.

In part II, the case examines other knee injuries, like a meniscus tear, or collateral ligament injury. Students have another opportunity to label the major structures of the knee. This video nicely summarizes with visuals the different types of injuries.

I have a few knee models in the classroom that students can use to get a better visual of the ligaments that stabilize the joint. Don’t underestimate the power of 3D models for student learning. Pictures don’t always tell the whole story!

Related Resources

Investigation: Can you Estimate a Person’s Height from Their Bones? – measure the length of the femur and tibia and use an equation to estimate height

Mystery of the Bones – forensics in action, use bones to identify victims in a fictional crime

Case Study – Uncovering the Mystery of Muscle Weakness – explore the symptoms and treatments for myasthenia gravis