204 Joints of the Lower Extremity. 



Ligamentum transversura genu 

 Tuberositas tibiae 



Meniscus lateralis 



V^B TI - 



Meniscus medialis 



Ligamentum cruciatum anterius 

 Ligamentum cruciatum postering 



253. Right knee joint, articulatio genu. 



Tibia with cartilaginous discs, from above. 



In the formation of the articulatio genu (knee joint} (see also Figs. 254 261) 

 the two condyli femoris move upon the condyli tibiae. Within the capsula articularis 

 enclosing the joint, between the two bones, two sickle-shaped connective-tissue discs are 

 intercalated, the meniscus lateralis and the meniscus medialis (see also Figs. 255 257 

 and 260). These are firmly connected at their extremities, by connective tissue strands, 

 with the tibia. Each meniscus is triangular on cross section (see Fig. 260) ; its 

 two smooth sides lie one on the condylus tibiae, the other on the condylus femoris; 

 these two sides meet in a sharp concave margin; its third, narrowest side is directed 

 toward the outer circumference of the joint and is fused with its capsule. 



The meniscus lateralis (0. T. external semilunar fibrocartilage) is somewhat 

 shorter and more circular ; it ' arises anteriorly close in front of the eminentia inter- 

 condyloidea tibiae, directly in front of the tuberculum intercondyloideum laterale, and is 

 fastened by its posterior extremity to the posterior slope of the eminentia intercondyloidea, 

 chiefly to the tuberculum intercondyloideum mediale. 



The meniscus medialis (0. T. internal semilunar fibrocartilage) is longer, broader, 

 and more sickle -shaped; it arises anteriorly in front of the fossa intercondyloidea anterior 

 from the margo infraglenoidalis and is attached behind in the fossa intercondyloidea 

 posterior. 



Between the most anterior points of the two menisci is stretched out the thin 

 rounded ligamentum transversum genu (see also Figs. 255 and 256), which is 

 composed of connective tissue. 



