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Topic

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Articular surface of lateral femoral condyle

The articular surface of the lateral femoral condyle is the smooth, convex hyaline cartilage–covered surface of the distal femur that participates in formation of the knee joint. It articulates with the lateral tibial plateau and the lateral facet of the patella, playing a crucial role in load transmission and knee motion.

It is a key region assessed in knee trauma, degenerative conditions, and sports-related injuries, especially for cartilage integrity and subchondral bone evaluation.

Synonyms

  • Lateral femoral condylar articular surface

  • Articular cartilage of the lateral femoral condyle

Location

  • Situated on the distal lateral aspect of the femur

  • Forms the lateral component of the femorotibial joint

  • Contributes to the femoropatellar articulation anteriorly

  • Extends from the anterior trochlear region to the posterior condylar surface

  • Opposes the lateral tibial plateau inferiorly

Anatomical components

  • Hyaline articular cartilage:

    • Covers the bony condyle

    • Provides a smooth, low-friction surface

  • Subchondral bone plate:

    • Supports overlying cartilage

  • Underlying cancellous bone:

    • Distributes mechanical loads

  • Peripheral margins:

    • Blend with non-articular cortical bone

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Lateral trochlear surface for patellar articulation

Posteriorly:

  • Posterior condylar surface of the femur

Inferiorly:

  • Lateral tibial plateau and lateral meniscus

Superiorly:

  • Distal femoral metaphysis

Medially:

  • Intercondylar fossa

Laterally:

  • Lateral collateral ligament attachment region (nearby)

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP, lateral, and skyline views):

  • Articular surface: Seen indirectly as smooth, regular bony contour

  • Joint space: Represents cartilage thickness between femur and tibia

  • Subchondral bone: Uniform radiodensity beneath the articular margin

  • Alignment: Symmetric lateral compartment spacing

CT appearance (Pre-contrast)

Non-contrast CT:

  • Articular surface contour: Smooth convex bony margin

  • Subchondral bone plate: Thin, dense cortical layer beneath cartilage

  • Trabecular bone: Normal cancellous pattern

  • Joint congruity: Clearly visualized femorotibial articulation

  • Cartilage: Not directly visualized, inferred from joint space

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Subchondral bone marrow: High signal intensity

  • Cortical bone: Low signal

  • Articular cartilage: Intermediate signal, well delineated against joint fluid

T2-weighted images:

  • Articular cartilage: Intermediate-to-high signal with smooth surface

  • Joint fluid: High signal outlining cartilage margins

  • Subchondral bone: Low signal cortex with intermediate marrow signal

STIR:

  • Fat-suppressed marrow: Uniform low signal

  • Cartilage: Intermediate signal

  • Joint fluid: Bright signal, improving visualization of cartilage surface

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Articular cartilage: Clearly visualized with intermediate signal

  • Joint fluid: High signal

  • Subchondral bone: Fat-suppressed marrow improves contrast

MRI image

Articular surface of lateral femoral condyle mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

CT image

Articular surface of lateral femoral condyle ct anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

CT VRT 3D image

Articular surface of lateral femoral condyle