Comparative Anatomical Study of The Rabbit and Human Knee Joint

The knee joint represents one of the most complex synovial joints in vertebrates, essential for locomotion, posture, and stability. Understanding its structural variation across species provides critical insights into evolutionary adaptation and functional biomechanics. This study presents a detailed comparative anatomical analysis of the rabbit and human knee joints, with emphasis on their bony architecture, ligamentous structures and selected musculotendinous attachments. Dissections were conducted on adult rabbits and male human cadaver under appropriate laboratory conditions in the Gross Anatomy Laboratory of the Department of Human Anatomy, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria. Gross morphological observations were systematically recorded, and anatomical photographs were taken and labelled for comparative illustration. The findings reveal notable differences in the morphology of the patella, the femoral patellar surface, and the proximal attachment of the extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL), reflecting distinct biomechanical adaptations: hopping in rabbits and upright bipedalism in humans. The study concludes that while the overall structural components of the rabbit and human knee are homologous, species-specific variations exist in the configuration and functional alignment of bones and soft tissues. These differences influence locomotor mechanics, stability, and range of motion.