Menu Close

What is a meniscus and what is its function?

What is a meniscus and what is its function?

They are very tough, smooth and rubbery and their cushioning of the joint keeps it stable. The meniscus is often thought of as being shock absorbers between the thighbone and the shinbone. They work to help in the reduction of wear and tear on the knee’s cartilage and bones and assist in guiding movement.

Which of the following is a function of the meniscus which of the following is a function of the meniscus?

Transcribed image text: Which of the following is a function of the meniscus? It supports the chondrocytes of the articular cartilages. It acts as packing material for the joint. It provides mechanical support for the joint.

What is the meniscus in anatomy?

Anatomy of the Meniscus The meniscus is a rubbery, flexible piece of cartilage that provides cushioning between the bones in the knee. The medial meniscus, which is located on the inside of the knee, is shaped like a C. The lateral meniscus, located on the outer side of the knee, is shaped like a U.

What describes a meniscus?

A meniscus is a piece of cartilage found where two bones meet (joint space). Menisci (plural of meniscus) protect and cushion the joint surface and bone ends. In the knee, the crescent-shaped menisci are positioned between the ends of the upper (femur) and lower (tibia) leg bones.

What are the two functions of the meniscus?

Once described as a functionless embryonic remnant,162 the menisci are now known to be vital for the normal function and long-term health of the knee joint. The menisci increase stability for femorotibial articulation, distribute axial load, absorb shock, and provide lubrication and nutrition to the knee joint.

Which meniscus is more mobile?

lateral meniscus
The lateral meniscus is more mobile than the medial meniscus as there is no attachment to the lateral collateral ligament or joint capsule. The outer edges of each meniscus attach to the tibia by the short coronary ligaments. Other short ligaments attach the ends of the menisci to the tibial surface.

What shape is the medial meniscus?

Medial menisci are C shaped wedge fibrocartilagenous structure located between condyle of femur and tibia. It is somewhat more in C shape as compared to lateral menisci as it is medial meniscus are clear of the plateau anteriorly and posteriorly.

Why is the meniscus important?

The meniscus plays two important roles within the knee. A meniscus is a critical shock absorber within the knee. The meniscus also provides stability within the knee.

What is meniscus short answer?

The quick answer is the meniscus is a C-shaped piece of soft and fibrous cartilage, also known as fibrocartilage, that provides shock absorption and cushion to your knee. It is also wedge-shaped which improves joint congruency, further adding to knee stability.

Which choice best describes a meniscus?

A meniscus is a crescent-shaped fibrocartilaginous anatomical structure that, in contrast to an articular disc, only partly divides a joint cavity. In humans they are present in the knee, wrist, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular, and temporomandibular joints; in other animals they may be present in other joints.

What is the function of the meniscus in the knee?

Last Updated April 29, 2016by Howard J. Luks, MD. The function of a meniscus is to act as a shock absorber within the knee. We have two menisci. We have a medial meniscus on the inner side of our knee, and a lateral meniscus on the outer side of our knee.

What’s the difference between the lateral and medial meniscus?

The medial meniscus covers 60 % of the medial tibial plateau, whereas the lateral one covers 80 % of the lateral tibial plateau. Peripheral parts of the menisci are thick, convex, and continuous with the joint capsule. Their inner parts have thin, free ends.

What are the peripheral parts of the menisci like?

Peripheral parts of the menisci are thick, convex, and continuous with the joint capsule. Their inner parts have thin, free ends. The upper surfaces of the menisci are concave which ease their articulation with the corresponding convex femoral articular surfaces.

How does the meniscus spread the weight of the body?

Since the condyles of the femur and tibia meet at one point (which changes during flexion and extension ), the menisci spread the load of the body’s weight. This differs from sesamoid bones, which are made of osseous tissue and whose function primarily is to protect the nearby tendon and to increase its mechanical effect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_4bm0Fub9E