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Lateral intercondylar tubercle

The intercondylar fossa (also known as the intercondylar notch) is a deep osseous groove located between the medial and lateral femoral condyles at the distal end of the femur. It forms a central compartment within the knee joint that houses the cruciate ligaments and provides an essential anatomical space for knee stability and controlled motion.

It is an important landmark in orthopedic anatomy, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and cross-sectional imaging of the knee.

Synonyms

  • Intercondylar notch

  • Intercondylar groove of the femur

Location

  • Situated at the distal end of the femur

  • Between the medial and lateral femoral condyles

  • Forms the posterior aspect of the distal femur

  • Opens anteriorly into the knee joint cavity

  • Faces inferiorly toward the tibial intercondylar eminence

Anatomical components

  • Osseous boundaries:

    • Medial femoral condyle

    • Lateral femoral condyle

  • Roof:

    • Intercondylar line

  • Floor:

    • Posterior aspect of the distal femoral metaphysis

  • Contained structures:

    • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

    • Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

    • Synovial lining and fat pads

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Knee joint cavity

  • Tibial intercondylar area

Posteriorly:

  • Posterior capsule of the knee joint

Medially:

  • Medial femoral condyle

Laterally:

  • Lateral femoral condyle

Inferiorly:

  • Tibial intercondylar eminence

Superiorly:

  • Distal femoral metaphysis

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP and lateral knee views):

  • Intercondylar fossa: Seen as a central lucent notch between femoral condyles

  • Tunnel or notch views: Best demonstrate the depth and width of the fossa

  • Condyles: Appear as symmetric radiopaque structures flanking the notch

CT appearance (Pre-contrast)

Non-contrast CT:

  • Intercondylar fossa: Well-defined osseous groove between femoral condyles

  • Cortical margins: Smooth and sharply outlined

  • Trabecular pattern: Normal cancellous bone texture

  • Spatial assessment: Accurate evaluation of notch width, depth, and contour

  • Cruciate ligaments: Not directly visualized, inferred by anatomical location

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal intensity

  • Marrow of femoral condyles: High signal intensity

  • Intercondylar fossa space: Intermediate signal with visible cruciate ligaments

  • ACL and PCL: Low-signal linear or band-like structures

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortical margins: Low signal

  • Joint fluid: High signal outlining the fossa

  • Cruciate ligaments: Low-signal structures against bright fluid

  • Synovial lining: Thin high-signal interface along the fossa

STIR:

  • Bone marrow: Uniform fat-suppressed signal

  • Fossa margins: Clearly delineated

  • Joint fluid: Bright signal

  • Cruciate ligaments: Persistently low signal

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Bone marrow: Suppressed fat signal

  • Joint fluid: Bright high signal

  • Cruciate ligaments: Low-signal linear bands

  • Synovium and recesses: Well visualized against suppressed marrow

CT VRT 3D image

Lateral Intercondylar Eminence 3d image

MRI image

Lateral intercondylar tubercle

MRI image

Lateral meniscus anatomy 3t mri

CT image

Lateral intercondylar tubercle of tibia ct coronal image

CT image

Lateral intercondylar tubercle of tibia ct sag