Central body of infrapatellar fat pad

The central body of the infrapatellar fat pad is is located between the patellar tendon anteriorly, the femoral condyles superiorly, and the tibial plateau inferiorly, filling the anterior compartment of the knee. The central body is flanked by medial and lateral extensions, and is closely associated with the ligamentum mucosum inferiorly and sometimes a superior fat tag. The posterior aspect of the central body may contain characteristic clefts. This region is richly vascularized and innervated, contributing to its role in knee biomechanics, shock absorption, and potential pain generation in pathological states.