Suprapatellar Plica

Description

MRI confirms that the unusual appearance of the suprapatellar pouch of the knee on ultrasound is due to a complete suprapatella plica entrapping fluid, producing localized synovitis and distorting the quadriceps fat pad

Location of the synovial plica inside the knee joint.

Plica of the knee including medial, suprapatellar, infrapatellar and lateral

Name

• Suprapatellar Plica
• Superior plica
• Supramedial plica
• Medial suprapatellar plica
• Suprapatellar septum

General

• One of the four major synovial plicae of the knee
• Second most common (after infrapatellar), reported prevalence of 89%

Gross Anatomy

• Courses from the anterior femoral metaphysis to the posterior quadriceps tendon
• From the medial to the lateral wall of the joint
• In some cases, the medial portion may merge with the medial patellar plica

Zidorn Classification

• Type I: complete septum without communication between the knee joint and suprapatellar bursa
• Type II: perforated septum with one or multiple openings (called porta) allowing passage of fluid
• Type III: demonstrates a small arcuate plica, usually medial
• Type IV: representing complete absence of the plica

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Clinical Significance

• Plica Syndrome
• Uncommonly, obstruction of the suprapatellar recess

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See Also

• Knee Anatomy Main
• Physical Exam Knee
• Knee Pain Main

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