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Quantitative mapping of meniscus morphology using advanced imaging analysis in young patients
Dominique A Barnes1,2, Crystal J Murray1,2, Mohammadreza Movahhedi3
1Department of Orthopaedics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
Scientific Reports
|March 31, 2026
Summary
Females have smaller anterior medial meniscus size compared to males, but magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity is similar across sexes. These sex-based differences are region-specific, not global, highlighting the need for detailed anatomical analysis.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic imaging
- Biomedical engineering
- Human anatomy
Background:
- Sex-based differences in meniscal size and structure are not fully understood.
- Previous studies lack detailed, location-specific meniscal analyses.
- Advanced imaging is needed to quantify regional meniscal properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex-based differences in localized meniscal size and MR-derived structural properties.
- To compare cross-sectional area (CSA) and signal intensity (SI) across meniscal regions between females and males.
- To determine if meniscal size differences are global or region-specific.
Main Methods:
- Utilized advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure meniscus CSA and SI.
- Analyzed data from 105 individuals (60 females) with non-injured knees.
- Quantified measurements along medial and lateral meniscal arc lengths, normalized to knee size.
Main Results:
- Normalized anterior medial meniscus CSA was significantly smaller in females than males.
- No significant sex-based differences were found in normalized lateral meniscus CSA.
- No significant sex-based differences were observed in SI profiles for either meniscus.
Conclusions:
- Regional sex-based differences exist in normalized medial meniscus CSA, specifically in the anterior region.
- Sex-based variations in meniscal size are localized, not widespread across the entire meniscus.
- Subregional analysis is crucial for identifying localized sex-based anatomical differences in the meniscus.
