The term "meniscus" can refer to different anatomical structures in the human body as well as a phenomenon in fluid mechanics.

Anatomy:

Knee Meniscus: In anatomy, the meniscus refers to two wedge-shaped pieces of cartilage located between the thighbone (femur) and the shinbone (tibia) in the knee joint. These are commonly known as the medial meniscus (on the inner side of the knee) and the lateral meniscus (on the outer side of the knee). The menisci act as shock absorbers, help distribute weight, and provide stability to the knee joint.

Other Anatomy: The term "meniscus" is also used to describe crescent-shaped structures in other parts of the body, such as the wrist or temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In these contexts, the meniscus serves a similar function of cushioning and stabilizing joints.

Fluid Mechanics:

Meniscus in Liquids: In fluid mechanics, the meniscus refers to the curved surface of a liquid in a container. This curvature is caused by the adhesive and cohesive forces between the liquid and the container. In a test tube or a graduated cylinder, for example, the meniscus is the curve at the top of the liquid.

Understanding the context in which "meniscus" is used will help determine whether it is referring to an anatomical structure or a fluid mechanics phenomenon.