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Topic

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Articular surface of medial tibial condyle

The articular surface of the medial tibial condyle forms the medial component of the tibial plateau and participates in the knee joint by articulating with the medial femoral condyle. It is broader, more oval, and slightly concave compared with the lateral side, contributing significantly to load-bearing and stability of the knee.

It is a key anatomical structure in orthopedic anatomy, knee biomechanics, and cross-sectional imaging of the knee joint.

Synonyms

  • Medial tibial plateau (articular surface)

  • Medial tibial articular surface

Location

  • Situated on the superior aspect of the tibia

  • Forms the medial half of the tibial plateau

  • Inferior to the medial femoral condyle

  • Medial to the intercondylar eminence

  • Contributes to the medial compartment of the knee joint

Anatomical components

  • Subchondral bone plate

  • Hyaline articular cartilage

  • Peripheral rim for meniscal attachment

  • Medial intercondylar tubercle margin (laterally)

Relations

Superiorly:

  • Medial femoral condyle

Inferiorly:

  • Proximal tibial metaphysis

Medially:

  • Medial collateral ligament (deep fibers via meniscus)

Laterally:

  • Intercondylar eminence and cruciate ligament attachments

Peripherally:

  • Medial meniscus

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP and lateral knee views):

  • Medial tibial articular surface: Appears as a smooth, slightly concave bony contour

  • Joint space: Well-defined medial joint space between tibia and femur

  • Subchondral bone: Uniform radiodensity beneath the articular surface

CT appearance (Pre-contrast)

Non-contrast CT:

  • Articular surface: Smooth cortical outline of the medial tibial plateau

  • Subchondral bone: Dense cortical layer with underlying trabecular bone

  • Plateau contour: Slight concavity relative to lateral plateau

  • Meniscus: Not directly visualized, inferred by position

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Subchondral bone marrow: High signal intensity

  • Cortical plate: Low signal intensity

  • Articular cartilage: Intermediate signal, thin and uniform

  • Medial meniscus: Low-signal triangular structure along the periphery

T2-weighted images:

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

  • Joint fluid: High signal outlining the articular surface

  • Subchondral bone: Low signal cortical plate

STIR:

  • Bone marrow: Fat-suppressed appearance

  • Articular surface: Well-defined low-signal cortical line

  • Cartilage–fluid interface: High contrast for surface visualization

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Articular cartilage: Bright, well-delineated layer

  • Subchondral bone: Suppressed marrow signal

  • Joint fluid: High signal

  • Meniscus: Persistently low signal

MRI image

Articular surface of medial tibial condyle mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

CT image

Articular surface of medial tibial condyle ct anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

CT VRT 3D image

Articular surface of medial tibial condyle 3d