Meniscal root

Meniscal roots in the knee refer to parts of the menisci which are critical attachment sites of the medial and lateral menisci to the central tibial plateau.

There are anterior and posterior roots for each meniscus.

• anterior meniscal roots
  • anterior root of the medial meniscus
    • has the biggest footprint of the four meniscal roots
    • inserts broadly on the anterior intercondylar crest
  • anterior root of the lateral meniscus
    • inserts on a smaller area posterior in relation to or on a portion of the anterior intercondylar crest in front of the lateral tibial tubercle and lateral to the anterior cruciate ligament with which it partially blends 
• posterior meniscal roots
  • posterior root of the lateral meniscus
    • inserts mostly on a horizontal part of the posterior intercondylar area
    • some fibers attach to the posterior slope of the lateral tubercle and along the intertubercular bony crest that connects the medial and lateral tibial tubercles
  • posterior root of the medial meniscus
    • has small oval insertion site on the posterior slope of the medial tibial tubercle located posteriorly in relation to the insertion site of the posterior root of the lateral meniscus

Related pathology

• meniscal root tear