[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › Lateral meniscus [Joints and ligaments](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/joints-and-ligaments/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Lateral meniscus The lateral meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage cushion on the outer side of the knee, between thigh and shin bones; it absorbs shock. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=meniscus_lat&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A C-shaped cushion of cartilage between the [femur](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femur/) and [tibia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tibia/), on the outer side. It is more rounded and mobile than the medial meniscus. ## What it does Spreads the body's weight across the joint, absorbs shock and helps keep the knee steady. ## Key points - The popliteus tendon passes through a gap in its posterolateral attachment (popliteal hiatus); this gap and its mobility make it less often torn than the [medial meniscus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-meniscus/) - Discoid lateral meniscus is the commonest meniscal variant and a cause of a snapping knee in children - Often torn together with an acute ACL injury, typically at the posterior horn or root - The meniscofemoral ligaments of Humphrey (in front of the [posterior cruciate ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-cruciate-ligament/)) and Wrisberg (behind it) run from its posterior horn to the medial femoral condyle ## Key facts **Where** Lateral tibial plateau; nearly circular, covers more of the plateau than the medial meniscus **Attaches** Horns to intercondylar area of tibia; meniscofemoral ligaments to medial femoral condyle; not attached to LCL; popliteus tendon separates it from capsule **Function** Spreads load; absorbs shock; more mobile than medial meniscus ([popliteus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/popliteus-muscle/) pulls it back in flexion) ## Relations **Above** Lateral femoral condyle **Below** Articular cartilage of the lateral tibial plateau **Lateral** Separated from the lateral collateral ligament by the [popliteus tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-popliteus/); looser capsular attachment than on the medial side **Behind** Popliteus tendon and the popliteal hiatus; the meniscofemoral ligaments; beyond the capsule, the posterolateral corner **Medial** Its two horns attach close together near the intercondylar eminence, the anterior horn next to the ACL tibial footprint ## How to find it Lateral joint-line tenderness is sought with the knee bent, between the lateral femoral condyle and the plateau, in front of the lateral collateral ligament. A meniscal cyst can be felt as a firm lump on the lateral joint line, clearer with the knee slightly bent. ## Examination - McMurray test with the tibia internally rotated and varus stress: a painful click on the lateral joint line suggests a lateral meniscus tear - Thessaly test: lateral joint-line pain or catching while rotating on the slightly bent standing leg ## On imaging MRI: a discoid meniscus shows a continuous bow-tie shape on three or more consecutive sagittal slices; on X-ray the lateral joint space may look widened. The popliteal hiatus is a normal gap that can mimic a posterior horn tear. ## Common problems - Tears from twisting the bent knee, common in sports. - Wear-related (degenerative) tears with age, sometimes with little injury. - Symptoms: pain on the joint line, swelling, catching or locking. ## How it is diagnosed A physical exam (joint-line tenderness, special twisting tests such as McMurray). MRI shows the tear. ## Treatment - Without surgery: rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicine; injections in some wear-related cases. - Surgery (usually arthroscopic): repairing the tear with stitches, or trimming the torn part (partial meniscectomy). - Meniscal allograft transplant (a donor meniscus) for selected patients who have lost most of a meniscus. ## Clinical notes - A parameniscal cyst arising from a horizontal tear can form a palpable lump on the lateral joint line - Posterior root tears are linked to ACL injuries and are repaired at the same operation when possible - The convex lateral plateau depends heavily on this meniscus, so lateral meniscectomy carries a high risk of later osteoarthritis ## Anatomical variants - Discoid lateral meniscus: complete, incomplete or Wrisberg type (no posterior tibial attachment, so unstable); more common in East Asian populations ## Development Normal fetal menisci are already crescent-shaped, so a discoid meniscus is a congenital variant, not an arrested fetal stage. ## Related conditions - [Meniscus Tear](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/meniscus-tear/) - [Knee Osteoarthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/knee-osteoarthritis/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which tendon passes through the popliteal hiatus of the lateral meniscus? The popliteus tendon. The gap and the meniscus's mobility make it torn less often than the medial meniscus. ## What is the commonest meniscal variant, and how can it present in children? Discoid lateral meniscus; it can cause a snapping knee in children. ## Which ligaments run from the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the medial femoral condyle? The meniscofemoral ligaments: Humphrey in front of the posterior cruciate ligament and Wrisberg behind it. ## Why does lateral meniscectomy carry a high risk of later osteoarthritis? The convex lateral tibial plateau depends heavily on the lateral meniscus to spread load. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/lateral-meniscus/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** meniscus lateralis TA2 1885 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Menisco lateral DeCS D008592 **English (TA2)** Lateral meniscus **Also called** meniscus fibularis ## Related - [Medial meniscus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-meniscus/) - [Transverse ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/transverse-ligament-of-knee/) - [Meniscus roots](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/meniscotibial-ligaments-and-meniscal-roots/) - [Tibial cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-tibial-plateau/) - [Genicular arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-lateral-genicular-artery/) - [Femur](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femur/) - [Tibia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tibia/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=19395&filter=ths_termall&q=Meniscos%20Tibiales); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Knee Lateral Meniscus](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519494/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-meniscus/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-meniscus/