Definition of meniscus

The word "meniscus" derives from a Greek term that means "crescent moon." It's named after the crescent shape that the meniscus takes in two of the body's joints, specifically the knee and the elbow. In these joints, there are two rubbery and C-shaped fibrocartilage pads, known as menisci, that act as shock absorbers. These structures resemble the monthly phases of the moon in their appearance, hence the name meniscus. The knee joint's medial meniscus (located on the inner side) and lateral meniscus (positioned on the outer side) are the most common sites of injury due to their location and function. The term meniscus has also been adopted to describe other crescent-shaped liquids, such as the meniscus found at the bottom of a glass filled with a liquid.