The Study on the Menisci of Korean Adults

Seong, Sang Cheol; Cho, Se Hyun; Chung, Moon Sang; Park, Youn Soo

Abstract

The menisci or semilunar cartilages of the knee provide the function of mechanical lubrication and they are particularly important in allowing rotational movements of the knee joint. The study was carried out on 123 Korean adult knees for measurement of the menisci and observation of surrounding ligamentous structures through anatomical dissection of formalin embalmed cadavers. Detection of abnormal meniscal lesions was also included in this study. The following results were obtained: 1. A-P diameter, transverse diameter, maximal width and thickness were measured in 123 knees of 62 cadavers. 2. Among 62 cadavers,' the anterior menisco-femoral ligament was present in 11 subjects (17.7%), the posterior menisco-femoral ligament in 59 (95.2%), and the transverse ligament in 36 (58.0%). 3. Discoid lateral meniscus was found in 5 knees (4.1%), and tear was associated in 3 of them. 4. Meniscus tear was found in 13 knees (10.6%), and the site of tear was medial in 9 knees and lateral in 4 including 3 torn discoid menisci. The oblique pattern of tear was most common.