Neural anatomy of the human anterior cruciate ligament

• Published in: Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume Vol. 69; no. 2; pp. 243 - 247
• Main Authors: Schutte, M J, Dabezies, E J, Zimny, M L, Happel, L T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston, MA Copyright by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated 01-02-1987; Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Incorporated
• Subjects: Axons - anatomy & histology; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Knee Joint; Ligaments, Articular - innervation; Mechanoreceptors - anatomy & histology; Nerve Endings - anatomy & histology; Pacinian Corpuscles - anatomy & histology; Peripheral Nerves - anatomy & histology; Somesthesis and somesthetic pathways (proprioception, exteroception, nociception); interoception; electrolocation. Sensory receptors; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Knee; Human; Nociceptor; Ruffini corpuscle; Pacini corpuscle; Mechanoreceptor; Sensory receptor; Anterior cruciate ligament
• ISSN: 0021-9355; 1535-1386
• DOI: 10.2106/00004623-198769020-00011

The histology of the anterior cruciate ligament was studied by a modified technique of the Gairns gold chloride stain for neural elements. Three morphological types of mechanoreceptors and free nerve-endings were identifiedtwo of the slow-adapting Ruffini type and the third, a rapidly adapting Pacinian corpuscle. Rapidly adapting receptors signal motion and slow-adapting receptors subserve speed and acceleration. Free nerve-endings, which are responsible for pain, were also identified within the ligament. These neural elements comprise 1 per cent of the area of the anterior cruciate ligament.