Purpose A histological study of a structure between the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the anterior cruciate ligament. Methods Bilateral fresh-frozen cadaveric knees of two male donors (age 71 and 76 years) with no history of prior knee injury were examined. All dissections were performed by one experienced orthopaedic surgeon. Haematoxylin and Eosin staining was used to reveal tissue morphology. Goldner trichrome staining was used to evaluate the connective tissue. S100 and PGP 9.5 labelling were used for immunohistochemical analysis. Results In all cadaveric knees, a structure between the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the anterior cruciate ligament was identiied. Histological analysis conirmed the ligamentous nature of this structure. Furthermore, Golgi tendon organs were observed within the ligamentous structure. Conclusion This is the irst study showing the presence of mechanoreceptors within the ligamentous structure between the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the anterior cruciate ligament. The ligamentous structure could contribute to stability of the knee by providing proprioceptive input, while preservation of the ligamentous structure might ensure a better functional outcome after surgery.
KeywordsAnterior cruciate ligament • Histology • Knee joint • Lateral meniscocruciate ligament • Meniscus • Mechanoreceptor Abbreviations ACL Anterior cruciate ligament H and E Haematoxylin and Eosin LMCL Lateral meniscocruciate ligament MFL Meniscofemoral ligament PCL Posterior cruciate ligament PHLM Posterior horn of the lateral meniscus * Baris B. Koc