The Meniscus Washers
Two shock absorbers inside your knee
Inside your knee, between the thigh bone and the shin bone, sit two C-shaped washers — the menisci. They're the reason your knee can twist, pivot, and absorb a landing without grinding.
The menisci from above
Real anatomy picture coming soon
Real anatomy photo spot: the medial and lateral meniscus, C-shaped, sitting on the tibia
Two shock absorbers
The menisci are made of tough, rubbery fibrocartilage. The one on the inner side of your knee is the medial meniscus; the outer one is the lateral meniscus. They cup the rounded femur so it sits snugly on the flat tibia — like a cradle stopping a ball from rolling off a table.
Load spreaders
Every step you take sends your body weight through your knees. The menisci spread that load across a wider area and soak up shock like sponges. They also help your knee lock safely when you twist — as long as you twist gently and don't push too far!
Mr. Bones says: I'm a fictional skeleton, not a doctor! This is for learning and fun. If anything hurts, stop and tell a grown-up you trust.
