Final answer:
Injuries to the knee from a strong lateral blow include ligament and meniscus damage. Synovial joints form from embryonic mesenchyme, and long bones develop via endochondral ossification. Hip fractures require surgery and increase the risk of morbidity and mortality in the elderly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sequence of injuries that may occur from a strong blow to the lateral side of the knee primarily involve damage to multiple structures within the knee joint. These could include ligament tears (such as the anterior cruciate ligament or medial collateral ligament) and meniscus injuries, often leading to knee instability, pain, and potential long-term consequences like osteoarthritis.
During embryonic limb development, synovial joints form through the segmentation of the cartilaginous model of the future limb bones. This involves the condensation of mesenchymal cells into the shape of bones with the intervening joint interzone developing into the synovial joint lined with articular cartilage.
Endochondral ossification is the process where bone tissue replaces a hyaline cartilage model, which is how long bones develop. In contrast, some bones in the body, such as flat bones of the skull, develop directly from mesenchyme through a process called intramembranous ossification, without a cartilage precursor.
In the case of a fracture like a broken hip, surgery is often required to repair the damage, especially if there is a risk of disrupted blood supply to the femoral neck or head leading to avascular necrosis. Hip fractures in the elderly population are particularly detrimental due to the increased risk of post-operative complications and higher healthcare costs.