A mediopatellar plica is a flattened band of synovium (joint lining) inside the knee, left over from the embryological development of the knee.

Page updated December 2023 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

ligamentum mucosus
A mediopatellar plica is the same as a medial plica, and runs down the knee on the medial side along the side of the femur, where it can sometimes be traumatised and thickened and become impinged between the femur and the patella.

 

Is a mediopatellar plica a normal structure?

A mediopatellar plica is a remnant of embryological development of the knee. It may be present in anyone, but not everybody has one. In most people who do have a mediopatellar plica there are no symptoms.

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Peer-reviewed papers

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Synonyms: 
Medial plica
Medial shelf
Medial synovial plica
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Dr Sheila Strover (Editor)
BSc (Hons), MB BCh, MBA

See biography...