Published Paper


Morphometric Study of Menisci of Knee Joint in Human Cadavers

1Shashidhar K, 2Ashwini N S
Department of Anatomy, Sri Devaraj URS Medical College, Sri Devaraj URS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Kolar, India
Page: 1831-1837
Published on: 2025 March

Abstract

Introduction: The Menisci of knee joint are crescentic laminae of fibrocartilage on the articular surface of the tibia that deepen the articulation of tibial surface of femur. The Medial Meniscus is broad and semicircular in shape. The Lateral Meniscus is nearly circular and more freely movable than the Medial Meniscus. The Medial and Lateral Menisci serve very important roles in knee stability, function and dynamic loading and are thus important in maintaining proper joint health. The function of stabilization, mainly the rotational, is one of the most important and is directly related to the meniscal injuries. Variations of shape and in particular of thickness and width of Menisci can determine the possibility and the kind of injury. The anatomical variations of the structures of the knee joint have recently become significant because of recent imaging techniques such as arthroscopy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The emergence of Meniscal transplantation in meniscal injuries has revolutionized the treatment modalities, the size and shape of the meniscus being very important. Methods: 100 menisci from 50 adult cadaveric knee joints which were preserved in formaldehyde solution were included in this study. The morphological variants of the shapes of Medial menisci were noted and classified. The width and the thickness of the Medial Menisci were measured using a Vernier’s Calipers. Results: The mean width of the Medial Menisci was 7.96mm in anterior third, 8.10mm in middle third and 13.46mm in the posterior third. The mean thickness of the Medial Menisci was 4mm in anterior third, 3.84mm in the middle third and 4.02mm in the posterior third. The mean width of the Lateral Menisci was 9.14mm in the anterior third, 9.32mm in the middle third and 9.10mm in the posterior third. The mean thickness of the Lateral Menisci was 3.4mm in anterior third, 4.18mm in the middle third and 3.64mm in the posterior third. Conclusions: The mean width of the Medial Meniscus was maximum at the post third of the Medial Meniscus. The mean thickness of the Medial Meniscus was least in the middle third. Lateral Meniscus was thickest in the middle third. A single specimen of partial Discoid Lateral Meniscus was observed. The medial meniscus is more prone to injuries in the middle third as it is thinner and becomes impacted during movements of the knee joint. Lateral Menisci are less prone to ruptures. Narrow meniscus is less liable to pressure from femoral condyle. The exact size and also shape is essential for meniscal transplantation in injuries to the Menisci.

 

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