Medial tibial plateau

The medial tibial plateau is the medial, weight-bearing articular surface of the proximal tibia, forming the lower half of the medial compartment of the knee joint. It is characterized by a concave shape, which is generally deeper than the lateral plateau, and is covered by hyaline cartilage. The plateau supports the medial femoral condyle and is bordered centrally by the medial intercondylar eminence (medial tibial spine), which serves as an attachment site for the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and the meniscal roots.

Morphometric studies show that the medial tibial plateau has a greater anteroposterior dimension compared to the lateral plateau, and its widest mediolateral width is located more posteriorly. The posterior slope of the medial tibial plateau typically ranges from 3.5° to 7.2°, with a mean around 5°–7°, and the depth (concavity) averages 1.2–2.2 mm, though these values vary among individuals and are clinically relevant for meniscal and ligamentous pathology.

The plateau is often described as biconcave, with a transverse ridge separating the anterior and posterior aspects, and this biconcavity is associated with complex medial meniscus tears.

The medial tibial plateau is the site of attachment for the superficial and deep medial collateral ligaments, the posterior oblique ligament, and the medial meniscus. The cartilage and subchondral bone composition, as well as proteoglycan distribution, are more pronounced near the medial tibial spine, reflecting its role in load transmission and ligamentous anchoring.