Medial meniscus

The medial meniscusShock absorber Cartilage on inner knee joint; cushions and stabilizes joint. is a C-shaped wedge of fibrocartilageA tough, shock-absorbing cartilage found in intervertebral discs and menisci.. It is located on the inner (medialToward the midline of the body) side of the knee joint. It sits between the medial condyleInner rounded bump at distal end; articulates with tibia and meniscus. of the femurThigh bone; longest and strongest bone in the body; has a large round head and prominent trochanters and the medial condyle of the tibiaShinbone; large, weight-bearing medial bone of the lower leg.. It is broader in the back than in the front and is more securely anchored than its lateralAway from the midline of the body. counterpart. The medial meniscus attaches firmly to the tibial plateau. It is also connected to the medial collateral ligamentStabilizer Inner knee; resists inward bending. (MCL). This connection limits its mobility within the joint.

The medial meniscus is tightly attached to the MCL and the joint capsule. As a result, it cannot move easily during knee motion. This makes it more vulnerable to injury. It is especially vulnerable during twisting motions or forceful impacts. Its main functions include absorbing shock and enhancing joint congruency. It also protects the articular cartilageSmooth hyaline cartilage covering joint surfaces to reduce friction. by distributing weight. This reduces stress on the bones. Tears to the medial meniscus are common in athletes. They are also common in older adults. These tears often accompany injuries to the MCL or ACL.