Menisci

Looks like

Two crescent wedges of tough cartilage sitting between the thigh bone and the shin bone.

What it does

Deepen the knee socket, spread load and keep the joint stable.

Keeping it well

Strong thighs; the inner rim has no blood supply and tears there do not heal, but most settle without surgery.

Its parts

• Anterior meniscotibial ligament (Lateral meniscus)
• Anterior meniscotibial ligament (Medial meniscus)
• Lateral meniscus
• Medial meniscus
• Meniscopatellar ligament
• Posterior meniscotibial ligament (Lateral meniscus)
• Posterior meniscotibial ligament (Medial meniscus)

Related conditions

• ACL & meniscus injury
• Baker's (popliteal) cyst
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Gout
• Growing pains
• Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Lyme disease
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Osteoarthritis
• Pseudogout (calcium pyrophosphate disease)
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Restless legs syndrome
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Septic arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Varicose veins