title: The anterior cruciate ligament-lateral meniscus complex: A histological study.
abstract: The anterior root of the lateral meniscus (LM) dives underneath the tibial attachment of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Although the distinct role of meniscal attachments has been investigated, the relationship between the LM anterior insertion (LMAI) and ACL tibial insertion (ACLTI) remains unclear. This study histologically analyzed the LMAI and ACLTI. Samples were divided into four regions in an anterior-to-posterior direction. Histological measurements of these insertion sites were performed using safranin O-stained coronal sections. Distribution and signal densities of type I and II collagen were quantified. The ACLTI and LMAI formed the ACL-LM complex via fiber connections. The anterior part of the ACLTI had a widespread attachment composed of dense fibers. Attachment fibers of the LMAI became dense and wide gradually at the middle-to-posterior region. The ACL-LM transition zone (ALTZ) was observed between the LMAI and the lateral border of the ACLTI at the middle part of the ACL tibial footprint. Type II collagen density of the LMAI was higher than that of the ACLTI and ALTZ. Our results can help create an accurate tibial bone tunnel within the dense ACL attachment during ACL reconstruction surgery.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Kitaku , Okayama Japan.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furumatsu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Kitaku , Okayama Japan.
authors.forename: Yuya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kodama
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Kitaku , Okayama Japan.
authors.forename: Ami
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maehara
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Kitaku , Okayama Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyazawa
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Kitaku , Okayama Japan.
authors.forename: Masataka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Kitaku , Okayama Japan.
authors.forename: Takaaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Kitaku , Okayama Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Kitaku , Okayama Japan.
authors.forename: Toshifumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ozaki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000072600:Meniscus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D024043:Collagen Type II
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; bridging fiber; lateral meniscus; tibial insertion; transition zone