Three-dimensional computed tomography confirmed that the meniscal root attachments and meniscofemoral ligaments are morphologically consistent

• Published in: Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA Vol. 28; no. 11; pp. 3450 - 3456
• Main Authors: Tanifuji, Koh, Tajima, Goro, Yan, Jun, Maruyama, Moritaka, Sugawara, Atsushi, Oikawa, Shinya, Oikawa, Ryunosuke, Kikuchi, Sho, Doita, Minoru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-11-2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accessories; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Attachment; Bone and Bones; Cadaver; Cadavers; Computed tomography; Contrast agents; Female; Humans; Image contrast; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Knee; Knee Joint - anatomy & histology; Knee Joint - diagnostic imaging; Ligaments; Ligaments, Articular - anatomy & histology; Ligaments, Articular - diagnostic imaging; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Menisci, Tibial - anatomy & histology; Meniscus; Middle Aged; Morphology; Orthopedics; Three dimensional imaging; Tibia - anatomy & histology; Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Knee; Three-dimensional computed tomography; Meniscal root attachments; Meniscofemoral ligaments
• ISSN: 0942-2056; 1433-7347
• DOI: 10.1007/s00167-020-06095-1

Purpose
To clarify the characteristic features of the meniscal root attachments, meniscofemoral ligaments (MFLs), and related osseous landmarks on three-dimensional images using computed tomography.
Methods
Twenty-eight non-paired, formalin-fixed human cadaveric knees were evaluated in this study. The meniscal root attachments were identified and marked. Three-dimensional images were obtained after applying a contrast agent to the entire meniscal surfaces and MFLs, then the morphology of the meniscal root attachments and MFLs, and their positional relationships with osseous landmarks, were analyzed.
Results
Parsons’ knob divided the medial meniscal anterior root attachment and lateral meniscal anterior root attachment on the anterior portion of the tibial plateau. The medial meniscal posterior root attachment was near the medial intercondylar tubercle. The lateral meniscal posterior root attachment (LMPRA) was closer to the lateral intercondylar tubercle. Both root attachments were near the posterior intercondylar fossa. The positional relationships between the meniscal root attachments and related osseous landmarks were consistent in all specimens. The MFLs originated from the lateral meniscus posterior horn, and the anterior MFL was closer to the LMPRA than the posterior MFL. The posterior MFL originated at approximately the midpoint between the LMPRA and the most posterior margin of the lateral meniscus.
Conclusion
This study showed that the relationships between the characteristic features of the meniscal root attachments, MFLs, and related osseous landmarks were consistent. The clinical relevance of this study is that it improved understanding of the anatomy of the meniscal root attachments and MFLs.