Joints and ligaments · Lower limb
Meniscus roots !
The meniscus roots are short ligaments that anchor the ends of each meniscus to the tibia; a torn root lets the meniscus slip out.
Official name: Meniscotibial (coronary) ligaments and meniscal roots
Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed.
What it is
Short ligaments (meniscus roots) anchoring the ends of each meniscus to the tibia.
What it does
Hold the menisci in place so they can spread the load. Root tears can make a meniscus stop working.
Key facts
- Attaches
- Meniscal roots: anterior and posterior horns to tibial intercondylar area; coronary ligaments: meniscal rims to tibial margin
- Function
- Anchor menisci to tibia; keep hoop tension so menisci share load; root tear acts like total meniscectomy
Relations
- In front
- ACL tibial attachment between the two anterior roots; the lateral anterior root blends with it
- Behind
- PCL behind the medial posterior root; the meniscofemoral ligaments leave the lateral posterior horn beside the PCL
- Lateral
- Popliteus tendon passing through the hiatus in the lateral coronary ligament
- Below
- Tibial intercondylar area (roots) and the rim of the tibial plateau just below the articular cartilage (coronary ligaments)
How to find it
Not palpable. At arthroscopy the anterior roots are seen at the front of the intercondylar area beside the ACL; the posterior roots are viewed through the notch or a posteromedial portal. The coronary ligaments show when the meniscal edge is lifted with a probe.
On imaging
MRI signs of a root tear: a vertical bright cleft at the root on coronal images, an absent posterior horn on sagittal images (ghost meniscus sign), and the meniscus pushed out 3 mm or more beyond the tibial edge (extrusion). Medial root tears may come with a subchondral insufficiency fracture of the medial femoral condyle.
Clinical notes
- Root repair (for example a transtibial pull-out suture) aims to restore hoop tension and protect the cartilage
- Drilling the ACL tibial tunnel can damage the lateral anterior root, which lies right next to it
- Coronary ligament tears let the meniscus extrude or move too much, even when the meniscus itself is intact
Related conditions
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Why does a posterior root tear of a meniscus behave like a total meniscectomy?
It destroys hoop tension, so the meniscus no longer shares load; medial root tears can lead to rapid medial arthritis.
Which tear typically comes with a posterior root tear of the lateral meniscus?
An ACL tear.
What are the MRI signs of a meniscal root tear?
A vertical bright cleft at the root, an absent posterior horn (ghost meniscus sign) and extrusion of 3 mm or more.
Where does the popliteus tendon pass through the lateral coronary ligament?
Through a gap in the lateral coronary ligament, the popliteal hiatus.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- ligamentum meniscotibiale laterale; ligamentum meniscotibiale mediale TA2 1901
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Ligamentos meniscotibiales
- English (TA2)
- Meniscotibial (coronary) ligaments and meniscal roots
- Also called
- lateral coronary ligament · medial coronary ligament
Related
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Medial Meniscus; Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Knee Lateral Meniscus.
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.
