Definition of Genu Genu: The Latin word for the knee. When the
knee is referred to in medicine, it is just called the knee.
However, the word "genu" is also used in medicine as in: genu
recurvatum (hyperextension of the knee), genu valgum (knock
knee) and genu varum (bowleg). The knee (or genu, if you are
into Latin) is a joint which has three parts. The thigh bone
(femur) meets the large shin bone (tibia) forming the main knee
joint. This joint has an inner (medial) and an outer (lateral)
compartment. The kneecap (patella) joins the femur to form a
third joint, called the patellofemoral joint. The knee joint is
surrounded by a joint capsule with ligaments strapping the
inside and outside of the joint (collateral ligaments) as well
as crossing within the joint (cruciate ligaments). These
ligaments provide stability and strength to the knee joint. The
large muscles of the thigh move the knee. In the front of the
thigh the quadriceps muscles extend the knee joint. In the back
of the thigh, the hamstring muscles