Superolateral Genicular Nerve, Lateral View

Description

Sweeping along the lateral aspect of the distal femur, the superolateral genicular nerve is shown coursing superior to the lateral femoral condyle before turning toward the anterolateral knee capsule. The patella sits anteriorly, with the articular margin and adjacent synovial capsule rendered in blue, while the femur lies proximal to the tibia in standard anatomical position. Fine articular branches track close to periosteum and capsular reflections near the lateral joint line. Orientation is lateral, emphasizing the nerve’s relationship to the outer distal femur and peripatellar soft tissues. Clinically, this small-caliber articular nerve matters because it is a common target in genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation and diagnostic blocks for chronic knee pain, including osteoarthritis and persistent pain after total knee arthroplasty. A lateral projection clarifies why needle placement is typically referenced to bony landmarks at the superolateral femoral epicondylar region, and why capsular spread can affect patellofemoral symptoms. Expect anatomic variation. Misidentification risks incomplete analgesia or unintended sensory changes. Pain medicine teaching sessions and interventional anatomy modules can use this artwork to anchor landmark-based approaches to the superolateral genicular nerve while keeping the patella, distal femur, and capsule in the same frame. It also fits orthopedic and rehabilitation publications that need a clean lateral knee schematic to explain articular innervation patterns alongside joint-line pathology and post-arthroplasty pain algorithms. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.