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Medial condyle of tibia

The medial condyle of the tibia, also known as the medial tibial plateau, is the medial superior articular portion of the tibia that forms a major component of the knee joint. It provides the weight-bearing surface for articulation with the medial femoral condyle and plays a crucial role in load transmission and joint stability.

It is a key structure in orthopedic anatomy, sports medicine, and knee imaging.

Synonyms

  • Medial tibial condyle

  • Medial tibial plateau

Location

  • Situated at the proximal end of the tibia

  • Forms the medial part of the tibial plateau

  • Articulates superiorly with the medial femoral condyle

  • Medial to the intercondylar eminence

  • Inferior to the medial femoral condyle

  • Contributes to the medial compartment of the knee joint

Anatomical components

  • Articular surface:

    • Slightly concave

    • Covered with hyaline cartilage

  • Subchondral bone:

    • Dense cortical plate supporting the articular cartilage

  • Peripheral margin:

    • Attachment for the medial meniscus

  • Adjacent landmarks:

    • Medial intercondylar tubercle

    • Tibial shaft inferiorly

Relations

Superiorly:

  • Medial femoral condyle

Inferiorly:

  • Proximal tibial metaphysis

Medially:

  • Medial collateral ligament (MCL)

  • Pes anserinus tendons (anterior-medial aspect)

Laterally:

  • Intercondylar eminence

Anteriorly:

  • Anterior horn of the medial meniscus

  • Tibial tuberosity (anteroinferiorly)

Posteriorly:

  • Posterior horn of the medial meniscus

  • Posterior capsule of the knee

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP and lateral knee views):

  • Medial condyle: Forms the medial portion of the tibial plateau

  • Articular surface: Appears as a smooth, gently sloping contour

  • Cortical margins: Well-defined and continuous

  • Medial joint space: Normally symmetric relative to the lateral compartment

CT appearance (Pre-contrast)

Non-contrast CT:

  • Medial tibial condyle: Well-defined osseous structure with smooth articular contour

  • Subchondral bone: Dense cortical layer beneath the joint surface

  • Trabecular pattern: Normal cancellous bone texture

  • Joint surface: Clearly delineated for assessment of shape and congruity

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal intensity

  • Bone marrow: High signal intensity

  • Articular cartilage: Intermediate signal forming a smooth layer

  • Meniscal attachment: Seen along the peripheral margin

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal

  • Articular cartilage: Intermediate-to-high signal

  • Joint fluid: High signal outlining the condylar surface

  • Subchondral region: Intermediate signal

STIR:

  • Bone marrow: Uniform fat-suppressed signal

  • Articular surface: Clearly outlined

  • Joint fluid: Bright signal

  • Ligamentous and meniscal attachments: Well visualized

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Articular cartilage: High contrast against suppressed marrow

  • Joint fluid: Bright signal

  • Meniscus: Low-signal triangular structure attached to the periphery

CT VRT 3D image

Medial condyle of tibia 3d

CT image

Medial condyle of tibia ct anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

MRI image

Medial condyle of tibia mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000