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Intercondylar eminence

The intercondylar eminence (also known as the tibial spine) is a bony prominence located on the superior articular surface of the tibia between the medial and lateral tibial condyles. It serves as a key attachment site for the cruciate ligaments and menisci and plays a central role in knee joint stability and biomechanics.

It is an important anatomical landmark in orthopedic anatomy, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and knee imaging.

Synonyms

  • Tibial spine

  • Intercondylar tubercles

Location

  • Situated on the superior articular surface of the tibia

  • Between the medial and lateral tibial condyles

  • Projects superiorly into the knee joint cavity

  • Faces the intercondylar fossa of the femur

  • Forms the central non-articular region of the tibial plateau

Anatomical components

  • Medial intercondylar tubercle

  • Lateral intercondylar tubercle

  • Intercondylar area (anterior and posterior parts)

  • Attachment sites:

    • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

    • Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

    • Anterior and posterior horns of the menisci

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Anterior intercondylar area

  • Anterior horn of the medial meniscus

Posteriorly:

  • Posterior intercondylar area

  • Posterior horn of the lateral meniscus

Superiorly:

  • Intercondylar fossa of the femur

Inferiorly:

  • Tibial metaphysis

Medially:

  • Medial tibial condyle

Laterally:

  • Lateral tibial condyle

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP and lateral knee views):

  • Intercondylar eminence: Appears as a central bony projection between tibial condyles

  • Contour: Sharp and well-defined

  • Symmetry: Normally symmetric and centrally positioned

  • Best visualized: On AP and intercondylar (tunnel) views

CT appearance (Pre-contrast)

Non-contrast CT:

  • Intercondylar eminence: Prominent osseous ridge projecting superiorly

  • Cortical margins: Smooth and sharply delineated

  • Trabecular pattern: Normal cancellous bone texture

  • Morphology: Allows precise assessment of height, shape, and symmetry

  • Ligament attachments: Inferred from bony landmarks

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal intensity

  • Marrow of tibial plateau: High signal intensity

  • Intercondylar eminence: Low-signal cortical outline with fatty marrow centrally

  • Cruciate ligament insertions: Seen at anterior and posterior aspects

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortical margins: Low signal

  • Joint fluid: High signal outlining the eminence

  • Meniscal horns: Low-signal triangular structures adjacent to the eminence

STIR:

  • Bone marrow: Uniform fat-suppressed signal

  • Joint fluid: Bright signal

  • Osseous margins: Clearly delineated

  • Ligament insertions: Visualized as low-signal attachments

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Bone marrow: Suppressed fat signal

  • Joint fluid: High signal

  • Cruciate ligament insertions: Low-signal bands inserting onto the eminence

  • Meniscal attachments: Clearly visualized

MRI image

Intercondylar eminence mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

CT image

Intercondylar eminence ct anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

CT VRT 3D image

Intercondylar eminence 3d