Lower limb

Articular cartilage of the knee (Femoral condyles, Tibial plateau, Patella)

Cartilagines articulares genus (Femur, Tibia, Patella)

Origin

Hyaline cartilage covering femoral condyles, tibial plateaus, and posterior patella (thickest cartilage in the human body, up to 6–7 mm)

Insertion

Femorotibial and patellofemoral articulating surfaces

Function

Absorbs extreme peak impact forces (up to 7x body weight during deep squats and jumps) with near-zero friction

Innervation

Avascular and aneural

Movement & chain

Coordinates rolling and gliding kinematics with patellar tracking

Palpation

Crepitus palpable over anterior knee during active flexion-extension

Clinical

Knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis: medial, lateral, or patellofemoral); chondromalacia patellae ('theatre sign' pain with prolonged sitting); focal chondral defects treated via microfracture or MACI; total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Segmental innervation

L3–S1

In clinical practice

GLA:D exercise therapy for knee OA, low-impact conditioning, and post-TKA functional rehabilitation

Region in the model

Lower limb