Anatomical study: comparing the human, sheep and pig knee meniscus

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Comparative Anatomy
• Orthopedic Research

Background:

• Animal models are crucial for studying knee joint injuries, particularly meniscus injuries.
• Selecting appropriate animal models is vital for translating research findings to human patients.
• This study evaluates sheep and pig menisci as potential human proxies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the wet weight, volume, and anatomical dimensions of human menisci with those of sheep and pig menisci.
• To determine the most suitable animal model for meniscus injury research based on anatomical similarity.

Main Methods:

• Human menisci (n=6 pairs) were obtained from cadaveric donors.
• Sheep (n=6 pairs) and pig (n=22 pairs) menisci were sourced from adult animals.
• Key anatomical measurements including circumference, width, and height were recorded and compared across species.

Main Results:

• Human menisci had significantly longer circumferences than sheep and pig menisci.
• Sheep menisci showed no significant differences in most dimensions compared to human menisci.
• Pig menisci were heavier and larger in volume and most dimensions than both human and sheep menisci.

Conclusions:

• Sheep menisci exhibit greater anatomical similarity to human menisci than pig menisci.
• These findings provide valuable guidance for selecting appropriate animal models in meniscus research.