kolano

Kolano is the Polish word for the knee. In everyday language and in medical and anatomical contexts, kolano refers to the knee joint, the hinge-like connection between the thigh and lower leg that bears much of the body's weight during standing, walking, and running.

Anatomically, the knee joint (articulatio genus) involves the distal end of the femur, the proximal ends of the tibia and fibula, and the patella (kneecap). The joint is stabilized by ligaments, including the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL) and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments (MCL and LCL). The menisci, two C-shaped cartilage disks, act as shock absorbers between the femur and tibia. The knee's movement is primarily a hinge action that allows flexion and extension, with limited rotation when the knee is flexed, aided by surrounding muscles such as the quadriceps and hamstrings.

Common topics in Polish medical literature about kolano include injuries and conditions such as ACL or meniscal tears, patellar dislocations, tendinopathies, and osteoarthritis. Diagnosis typically relies on clinical examination and imaging, with X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound used to assess structure and damage. Treatments range from conservative measures—rest, rehabilitation, and bracing—to surgical options such as ligament reconstruction or joint replacement, depending on the condition and patient needs.

Kolano as a term is primarily used in Polish to denote the knee, and it appears across medical texts, educational materials, and everyday speech. Its English equivalent is knee or knee joint.