title: Descriptive anatomy of fibrocartilaginous menisci in the finger joints of the hand.
abstract: Observations were made from the dissection of 156 digital joints (thumbs excluded). In all joints fibrocollagenous menisci projected into the articular cavity from a ring-like structure based on the joint capsule. These meniscal structures separated the articulating cartilage surfaces at the margins of the joint. Histological examination confirmed a fibrocartilaginous nature of the tissue which demonstrated positive staining for proteoglycans and collagen fibers. Although generally similar in form, these meniscal structures varied in extent when compared between joint groups. The greatest amount and articular contribution was noted in metacarpophalangeal joints with least being found distally.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006225:Hand / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen