title: The anatomy and morphometry of cervical zygapophyseal joint meniscoids.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Meniscoids are folds of synovial membrane that project into the articular cavities of zygapophyseal joints throughout the cervical spine. These structures have been implicated in musculoskeletal neck pain; however, their anatomy has not been extensively investigated. The purpose of this study was to explore the morphometry and composition of the cervical zygapohyseal joint meniscoids.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve adult cadaveric hemi-spines were dissected and their C2-3 to C6-7 zygapophyseal joints disarticulated (six female; six left; mean 81.5 years, SD 7.3 years). Meniscoids were identified and their surface area, protrusion length and articular cartilage degeneration measured. Specimens were then sectioned sagittally, stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and examined with a light microscope. Data were analysed descriptively and using non-parametric hypothesis testing (significance p < 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Meniscoids were identified in 86% of zygapophyseal joints examined; 50% contained both ventral and dorsal meniscoids, 7% contained a ventral meniscoid only and 29% contained a dorsal meniscoid only. Meniscoids were classified as adipose (4%), fibrous (74%), or fibroadipose (22%) based upon histological composition. There were no significant associations between meniscoid size (surface area or protrusion length) and gender, position in joint, spinal level, or articular degeneration. Increased articular degeneration was associated with fibrous meniscoid classification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The morphological patterns observed, such as the association of fibrous meniscoids with cartilage degeneration, may provide insight into the significance of the zygapophyseal joint meniscoids in neck pathology. Further investigation is needed to explore the morphological qualities of these structures in a pathological population.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Medicine, HA06 Hunter Building, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, scott.farrell@newcastle.edu.au.
authors.forename: Scott F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Osmotherly
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cornwall
authors.forename: Darren A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rivett
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology