Background: It is well established that there are marked differences in contour and the insertion of the medial and lateral menisci in adult knee joints. Variations in form of thickness and width of menisci have determined the different injury mechanisms. However, this data is scarce in human foetuses.
Aims & Objective: To evaluate and analyze the morphometric aspects of the menisci of the knee joints such as the external circumference thickness, the width, peripheral and inner border lengths, and the distance between anterior & posterior horns of the fetal menisci.
Material and Methods: This study was done on 54 knee joints from 27 formalin fixed human fetal cadavers that were without any gross musculoskeletal system anomalies and available at Department of Anatomy, Index Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Indore.
The thickness and width were evaluated at three different points: anterior 1/3rd, middle 1/3rd and posterior 1/3rd parts and values were compared between medial and lateral menisci, between right and left joints and also between male and female foetuses. A non-elastic wet cotton thread and a digital Vernier Calliper of 0.01 mm accuracy were used for the measurement.
Results: The study shows statistically significant morphological differences between medial and lateral menisci, right and left joint and also between joints of male and female foetuses. The results reported here further validate the earlier morphometric findings of studies on human foetuses.
Conclusion: Comparative analysis with adultsÂ’ menisci historical data suggests that the main morphological features like thickness at middle 1/3rd and width at posterior 1/3rd for both menisci and distance between the horns of medial Vs. lateral meniscus are same with adults explaining the common mechanism of injuries. Some reported differences could be due to the mesenchymal differentiation or variability of the vasculature early in embryonic life.
Key words: Morphometry; Knee joint; Menisci; Fetuses; Horn
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