Liigesopinde

Liigesopinde is an Estonian term used in anatomy and medicine to describe the surfaces of bones that come into contact within a synovial joint. These joint surfaces, often referred to in plural as liigesopinnad in standard usage, participate in articulation and movement by forming a congruent interface between the bones of a joint.

Each liigesopind is normally coated with articular cartilage and lies within the joint capsule, with synovial fluid providing lubrication. The geometry of the surfaces—curvatures, depth, and thickness of cartilage—determines joint congruence, range of motion, and load distribution.

Common examples include the femoral and tibial condyles of the knee, the femoral head and acetabulum in the hip, and the glenoid and humeral head in the shoulder.

Pathology affecting liigesopinde includes cartilage degeneration, osteoarthritis, focal cartilage defects, and injuries that disrupt the smooth contact between surfaces. Imaging modalities such as MRI and CT help assess the integrity of liigesopinde and surrounding structures.

Origin and usage: The term derives from Estonian "liiges" meaning joint and "pind" meaning surface; it is used in anatomical texts to specify the functional interface of articulating bones.