Meniscus (anatomy) 2864815 219316361 2008-06-14T17:20:37Z Alexbot 5517884 robot Removing: [[it:Menisco]] Modifying: [[fr:Ménisque (anatomie)]], [[he:מניסקוס]] :''This article is about the parts in the human knee.<br>For other uses of the term meniscus, see [[meniscus]] and [[Lens (optics)#Lens construction|lens (optics)]].'' {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = | GraySubject = | GrayPage = | Image = Gray349.png | Caption = Head of right tibia seen from above, showing menisci and attachments of ligaments | Image2 = Gray348.png | Caption2 = Left knee-joint from behind, showing interior ligaments | Precursor = | System = | Artery = | Vein = | Nerve = | Lymph = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = m_09 | DorlandsSuf = 12524685 | }} In [[anatomy]], a '''meniscus''' is a moon-shaped figure.<ref>{{cite web | title = eMedicine/Stedman Medical Dictionary Lookup! | publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins | date = 2003 | work = Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 27th edition | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5VlKiXRhC | accessdate = 2008-02-20}}</ref> It usually refers to either of two specific parts of [[cartilage]] of the [[knee]]. The knee contains a [[lateral meniscus]] and a [[medial meniscus]]. Both are [[Cartilaginous#Fibrocartilage|cartilaginous]] tissues that provide structural integrity to the knee when it undergoes [[tension (mechanics)|tension]] and [[torsion (mechanics)|torsion]]. The menisci are also known as 'semi-lunar' cartilages - referring to their half-moon "C" shape - a term which has been largely dropped by the medical profession, but which led to the menisci being called knee 'cartilages' by the lay public. Although menisci are largely associated with the knee, they are similar in function to structures called [[articular disk]]s in other parts of the body.<ref>{{cite web | title = Module - Introduction to joints | publisher = University of Michigan | date = 2002 | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5VlLA91Jd | accessdate = 2008-02-20}}</ref> ==Anatomy== The menisci are two pads of [[Cartilaginous#Fibrocartilage|cartilaginous]] tissue which serve to disperse friction in the [[knee]] joint between the lower leg ([[tibia]]) and the thigh ([[femur]]). They are shaped [[wiktionary:Concave|concave]] on the top and flat on the bottom, articulating the tibia. They are attached to the small depressions ([[fossa]]e) between the condyles of the tibia (intercondyloid fossa), and towards the center they are unattached and their shape narrows to a thin shelf.<ref name="Gray">{{cite web | last = Gray | first = Henry | title = 7b. The Knee-joint | work = Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body | date = 1918 | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5VlLVEO4e | accessdate = 2008-02-20}} </ref> ==Function== The menisci act to disperse the weight of the body and reduce friction during movement. Since the condyles of the femur and tibia meet at one point (which changes during [[flexion]] and [[Human anatomical terms#Types of movement|extension]]), the menisci spread the load of the body's weight.<ref>{{cite web | last = Cluett | first = Jonathan | title = Meniscus Tear - Torn Cartilage | publisher = About.com | date = February 10, 2008 | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5VlLgNp5d | accessdate = 2008-02-20}}</ref> This differs from [[sesamoid bone]]s, which are made of [[osseous tissue]] and whose function primarily is to protect the nearby tendon and to increase its mechanical effect. ==Injury== :{{main|Tear of meniscus}} In [[sport]]s and [[Orthopedic surgery|orthopedics]], people will sometimes speak of "torn cartilage" and actually be referring to an injury to one of the menisci. The [[Unhappy Triad]] is a set of commonly co-occurring knee injuries which includes injury to the medial meniscus. ==References== {{reflist}} == See also == * [[Meniscal cartilage replacement therapy]] * [[Anterior Cruciate Ligament]] ==External links== * [http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/node/848 The KNEEguru - educational site packed with knee content with sections on meniscal injuries] *[http://www.athleticadvisor.com/FAQs/scope/arthroscopy.htm Athletic advisor] *[http://kneepaininfo.com/kneearthroscopy.html Kneepaininfo.com] *[http://www.mcnicholaskneeclinic.co.uk/meniscusinjury.htm Meniscus Patient Information] *[http://www.arthroscopy.com/sp05005.htm Arthroscopy. com about torn menisci] *[http://www.orthogate.com/patient-education/knee/meniscal-injuries.html Orthogate on meniscus injuries] *[http://cms.clevelandclinic.org/ortho/body.cfm?id=32 Cleveland Clinic on knee surgery, knee tear] *[http://www.orthogate.com/patient-education/knee/meniscal-surgery.html Orthogate on Meniscal Surgery] {{Joints of lower limbs}} [[Category:Joints]] [[cs:Meniskus (anatomie)]] [[de:Meniskus (Anatomie)]] [[es:Menisco (anatomía)]] [[fr:Ménisque (anatomie)]] [[he:מניסקוס]] [[nl:Meniscus (anatomie)]] [[no:Menisk]] [[pt:Menisco]] [[ru:Мениск (анатомия)]] [[fi:Nivelkierukka]] [[sv:Menisk]] [[zh:半月板]]