A Cadaveric Study to Define Morphology and Morphometry of Human Knee Menisci in the Region of Central India

Abstract

Background: The medial and lateral menisci of the knee joint are the functional unit that helps to increase the depth of articular surfaces on the head of a tibia for the reception of femoral condyles. Menisci are important for the distribution of load and thus help to reduce stress on the knee joint. This study aimed at studying the variability in the morphology of menisci of knee joint we studied 70 knee joints and the variation was noted and documented.The anatomical knowledge of morphology and morphometry of menisci is essential while performing surgeries in cases of meniscal injury. Materials And Methods: Observational study performed in DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY,INDEX MEDICAL COLLEGE ,INDORE. 5 cadavers were included in the study.so,a total of 70 knee joints were studied. The peripheral lengths and inner lengths of the menisci were measured with the nonelastic cotton thread. Variability in the shapes of both; lateral and medial menisci were seen and documented.
Result: The peripheral length of the lateral meniscus was more than that of the medial meniscus but the difference was not significant (p-value≥ 0.05) statistically. The distance between the anterior and posterior horn of the medial meniscus (23.08 ± 3.00 mm) was significantly higher than that of the lateral meniscus (14.08 ± 2.22 mm) having a p-value of 0.0001. From Table 1, it can be observed that the thickness of both menisci was more at the posterior end as compared with the anterior and middle ends and the difference was statistically significant in the parameters of the anterior and posterior ends. The width of the medial meniscus was more at the posterior end as compared with the anterior and middle ends while the width of the lateral meniscus was almost the same at the anterior, middle, and posterior ends. Discussion: The knowledge of the variational anatomy of menisci is significant as injury to them leads to significant morbidity related to locomotory function.
Conclusion: The conclusion obtained from the study is that the present study will be helpful for surgeons while planning and performing surgical procedures and for anatomists during routine teaching. Tears of menisci are common, most of which occur in the avascular inner zones and seldom heal spontaneously. Peripheral tears have the potential to heal satisfactorily if repaired surgically [11]. So, studies to document the morphological and morphometric features of knee menisci are very much needed.