Corpus: Lateral meniscus

The lateral meniscus is a fibrocartiaginous component of the knee joint, located laterally between the articular surfaces of the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia).

see also: Medial meniscus

The lateral meniscus has a shape resembling a sickle or a 3/4 circle and covers a larger joint surface than the medial meniscus. It can be divided into three sections:

• Cornu anterius (anterior horn)
• Pars intermedia (middle part)
• Cornu posterius (posterior horn)

Unlike the medial meniscus, the lateral meniscus is only slightly fused with the ligaments of the joint capsule, making it more mobile. The anterior attaches to the front of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia, while its posterior horn attaches to the back of the intercondylar eminence.

Just before its posterior attachment, the lateral meniscus gives rise to a thick bundle of fibers known as Wrisberg's ligament, which extends upwards and medially to attach to the medial femoral condyle, just behind the posterior cruciate ligament.

The lateral meniscus is stressed during internal rotation of the knee but is relieved during external rotation.

The lateral and medial menisci increase the contact surface of the femoral condyle, ensuring more even pressure distribution and shock absorption. By surrounding the condyles, they stabilize the knee joint during sliding and rotational movements. Additionally, they facilitate better distribution of synovial fluid across the joint surfaces, similar to a windshield wiper.

Meniscus lesions are among the most common knee joint injuries. They can be detected using MRI or arthroscopy. Several clinical signs that can indicate meniscal injury, including:

• Steinmann sign (Steinmann I, Steinmann II)
• Apley test
• Böhler sign