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Published on: January 4, 2017
Meniscal ossicles in large non-domestic cats
Michael Walker1, David Phalan, James Jensen
1Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843, USA.
Summary
Meniscal ossicles, bony structures in the knee joint, were found in most large wild cats studied, except bobcats. This finding is new for lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Radiology
- Comparative Anatomy
- Musculoskeletal System
Background:
- Meniscal ossicles are ossified portions of the meniscus in the knee joint.
- Previous reports of meniscal ossicles in large non-domestic cats were limited to Bengal tigers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of meniscal ossicles in various species of large, non-domestic cats.
- To identify other sesamoids within the stifle joint of these animals.
Main Methods:
- Radiographic review of 34 large wild cats from 6 species (lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, bobcats, jaguars).
- Additional evaluation of one tiger stifle using fluoroscopy, arthrography, CT, necropsy, and histology.
- Assessment for meniscal ossicles and four other potential sesamoids.
Main Results:
- Meniscal ossicles were prevalent in lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars.
- Half of the cougars possessed meniscal ossicles, while bobcats did not.
- Lions, tigers, and leopards with meniscal ossicles often lacked a medial fabella but typically had a lateral fabella.
Conclusions:
- Meniscal ossicles are more common in large wild cats than previously documented.
- The association between meniscal ossicles and the presence/absence of gastrocnemius fabellae is a novel observation in these species.
