How Do You Spell SEMILUNAR CARTILAGES?

1. Semilunar cartilages are two C-shaped pieces of fibrocartilage located within the knee joint. They are commonly referred to as the medial and lateral menisci. These cartilages serve as cushions between the shinbone (tibia) and the thighbone (femur), helping to distribute forces evenly across the joint and absorb shock during movement.

   The semilunar cartilages are positioned on the tibial plateau, with the medial meniscus on the inner side and the lateral meniscus on the outer side of the knee. They have a semi-circular shape, thicker along the outer edges and thinner towards the center. The inner edges of each meniscus are attached to the intercondylar region of the tibia, while the outer edges remain free and mobile.

   Functionally, the semilunar cartilages play several vital roles. They improve joint stability by deepening the articulation between the femur and tibia, enhancing the congruence of the joint surfaces. Additionally, they aid in load transmission by decreasing friction between the bones and taking on a significant portion of the body weight during movements like walking, running, or jumping.

   Moreover, the semilunar cartilages contribute to joint lubrication by distributing synovial fluid throughout the knee joint. They also assist in shock absorption by absorbing and dissipating forces exerted on the knee during weight-bearing activities or sudden movements. Due to their crucial roles in knee function and stability, any damage, tear, or degeneration of the semilunar cartilages can lead to pain, swelling, and limited mobility, requiring medical intervention or surgical repair.

2. Two interarticular fibro cartilages of the knee-joint, meniscus lateralis and meniscus medialis.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for SEMILUNAR CARTILAGES

The term "semilunar cartilages" is derived from Latin and consists of two parts:

1. Semilunar: It comes from the Latin word "semilunaris", which combines two elements: "semi-" meaning "half" and "lunaris" meaning "like the moon" or "moon-shaped". Hence, "semilunar" refers to something that resembles a half-moon shape.

2. Cartilages: This term is derived from the Latin word "cartilago", which means "gristle" or "hard tissue". Cartilages are a type of tough, flexible connective tissue in the body that act as cushions and provide support to various structures, such as joints.

Therefore, "semilunar cartilages" refers to the half-moon-shaped cartilages found in certain parts of the body, such as the knee where they serve crucial functions in the joint mechanics.