Comparative morphological and morphometric study between medial and lateral menisci in aged male and female human cadavers

Abstract

Background: The meniscal cartilages are fibrous discs that are important for knee structures and have the ability to bear weight and stabilize joints. However, morphological and standard data for the meniscus are limited. Therefore, this work will compare anatomical and histological parameters of meniscal cartilages. The results will be important for the different measurements that are necessary for knee joint surgery. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 aged cadavers (12 males and 12 females) were included. Knee joints were dissected and the menisci were excised and labeled as medial or lateral, right or left, male or female. Then, the menisci were kept in 10% formalin solution. Morphological variations of the meniscal shapes were macroscopically categorized. Different measurements, including the distance between anterior and posterior horns, outer and inner circumferences, width (breadth), and thickness, were done using a digital Vernier caliper and recorded manually. Results: 48 medial menisci (MMi) cartilages were studied, they were 54.6% crescent-shaped, 34.6% V-shaped, and 10.8% U-shaped. 48 lateral menisci (LMi) cartilages were studied, 41.6% were crescent-shaped, 56.4% were C-shaped, and 2% were disc-shaped articular cartilage. Findings included differences in their lengths and thickness. Conclusion: The findings of this study were significant in providing new information on various morphological and morphometric parameters of the MMi and LMi in aged males and females, which are necessary to require more precise and comprehensive fundamental data that will be helpful for many specialists for better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches; aiming to restore normal joint conditions in senile people complaining of different meniscal pathologies.

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“…Nevertheless, the etiology and implications for this sex difference remained unclear (Zhou et al, 2018;Pringle et al, 2019). In our previous study (Aggad et al, 2022), we found several differences of morphological and morphometric parameters of the MMi and LMi between males and females, which supported this gender-specific differences. Also, it was assumed that the alteration in cartilage composition, acting together with different walking mechanics between men and women, can potentially predispose women to a greater risk of OA (Blagojevic et al, 2010;Wise et al, 2012;Litwic et al, 2013;Kumar et al, 2015;Battistelli et al, 2019;Peshkova et al, 2022).…”