Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2025

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Immune Cell Subsets within the Murine Spleen, Bone Marrow, Lymph Nodes and Synovial Tissue in an Osteoarthritis Model
12:23

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Immune Cell Subsets within the Murine Spleen, Bone Marrow, Lymph Nodes and Synovial Tissue in an Osteoarthritis Model

Published on: April 24, 2020

19.5K

Vascular anatomy of the lateral meniscus with special focus on the joint capsule

Yutaro Natsuyama1,2, Yuka Mitsuya3, Miyuki Kuramasu3

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. natsuyama.yutaro.8b@tokyo-med.ac.jp.

Anatomical Science International
|August 31, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The meniscus hilum

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Anatomy
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • The lateral meniscus (LM) exhibits differential vascularization, with scarce supply in the popliteal hiatus (PH) and abundant supply at the roots.
  • Existing anatomical descriptions of LM vascularity are incomplete, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the structural basis for the varying blood supply to the lateral meniscus.
  • To investigate the role of the meniscus hilum (MH) in regulating vascular access to the LM.

Main Methods:

  • Examination of 16 human knees to analyze the vascular anatomy of the lateral meniscus.
  • Histochemical analysis to identify blood vessel entry points into the LM.
  • Assessment of the meniscus hilum (MH) width in different regions of the LM.

Main Results:

  • Blood vessels exclusively enter the lateral meniscus (LM) through the meniscus hilum (MH).
  • The meniscus hilum (MH) is significantly narrower at the popliteal hiatus (PH) compared to the meniscus roots.
  • Capsular attachments (femoral joint capsule and tibial joint capsule) vary between the PH and roots, influencing vascular access.

Conclusions:

  • The width of the meniscus hilum (MH) is a critical determinant of blood supply distribution within the lateral meniscus (LM).
  • Narrowing of the meniscus hilum (MH) at the popliteal hiatus (PH) explains its poor vascularity.
  • Understanding the meniscus hilum's (MH) role is crucial for comprehending lateral meniscus (LM) vascular anatomy and healing potential.
Keywords:
Intercapsular routeIntracapsular routeMeniscus hilumPopliteal hiatusPopliteus muscle

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Double Posteromedial Approach for Treating Posterior Cruciate Ligament Cysts05:44

Author Spotlight: Double Posteromedial Approach for Treating Posterior Cruciate Ligament Cysts

Published on: October 20, 2023

524
Destabilization of the Medial Meniscus and Cartilage Scratch Murine Model of Accelerated Osteoarthritis07:06

Destabilization of the Medial Meniscus and Cartilage Scratch Murine Model of Accelerated Osteoarthritis

Published on: July 6, 2022

4.4K

Related Concept Videos

Knee Joint01:23

Knee Joint

The knee joint is the most complicated joint in the body. It consists of three articulations– two tibiofemoral and one patellofemoral. As is characteristic of synovial joints, the knee joint has a thin articular capsule that partially surrounds this joint cavity. Additionally, several ligaments, muscles, and cartilaginous structures support the movement of the knee.
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris...
1.6K
Structural Joints: Synovial Joints01:16

Structural Joints: Synovial Joints

Synovial joints are the most common type of joint in the body. A key structural characteristic for a synovial joint is the presence of a joint cavity. This fluid-filled space is where the articulating surfaces of the bones contact each other. Also, unlike fibrous or cartilaginous joints, the articulating bone surfaces at a synovial joint are not directly connected to each other with fibrous connective tissue or cartilage. This gives the bones of a synovial joint the ability to move smoothly...
3.4K
Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella01:16

Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella

The femur is the body's longest and strongest bone spanning the thigh region. Its head articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone to form the hip joint. A minor indentation on the medial side of the femoral head, called the fovea capitis, serves as the site of attachment for the ligament of the head of the femur. This weak ligament spans the femur and acetabulum and supports the hip joint. The narrowed region below the head is the neck of the femur. The inclination angle between the...
2.3K
Ankle Joint01:10

Ankle Joint

The ankle is formed by the talocrural joint (crural = leg). It consists of the articulations between the talus bone of the foot and the distal ends of the tibia and fibula of the leg. The superior aspect of the talus bone is square-shaped and has three areas of articulation. The top of the talus articulates with the inferior tibia. This is the portion of the ankle joint that carries the body weight between the leg and foot. The sides of the talus are firmly held in position by the articulations...
1.5K
Arteries of Lower Limbs01:20

Arteries of Lower Limbs

The external iliac artery transitions out of the body cavity, entering the femoral region of the lower leg, and is renamed the femoral artery at the point where it traverses the body wall. This artery is responsible for the distribution of blood to the thigh's deep muscles and the skin's ventral and lateral regions, achieved through several minor branches and the lateral deep femoral artery, which also spawns a lateral circumflex artery. The knee area receives blood from the genicular...
1.3K
Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints01:17

Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints

As the name indicates, at a cartilaginous joint, the adjacent bones are united by cartilage, a tough but flexible type of connective tissue. Unlike synovial joints, these types of joints lack a joint cavity and involve bones joined together by either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage.
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary...
2.2K