Articular surface of lateral femoral condyle

The articular surface of the lateral femoral condyle is characterized by a complex three-dimensional geometry that is approximately spherical in the sagittal and coronal planes, with some variation between individuals. The inferior and posterior facets of the lateral condyle can be closely approximated by a circle in the sagittal plane, and the posterior facet is also well represented by a circle in the axial plane. The radius of curvature for the lateral condyle is generally similar to that of the medial condyle, except for the medial inferior facet, which is larger. The articular cartilage overlying the lateral condyle varies in thickness, with the thinnest region typically at the sulcus terminalis (the groove for the meniscus) and thicker cartilage over the weight-bearing regions.

The lateral femoral condyle is asymmetric compared to the medial condyle, with the lateral posterior condyle exhibiting a medial tilt in the coronal plane, while the medial condyle is nearly vertical. This asymmetry is thought to contribute to the characteristic medial pivot motion of the knee during flexion.