The continuous structure of the joint capsule and meniscus in the pig knee

Abstract

The knee joint capsules composed of a fibrous layer and a synovial layer. The knee meniscus consists of the superficial network, lamellar layer, tie fibre and circumferential bundles. However, the continuous structure of the knee joint capsule and meniscus has not been reported. Fetal and adult pigs were used to investigate the structural relationship between the stifle joint capsule and meniscus based on the gross anatomy and histological findings. In the gross anatomical examination, the joint capsule appeared to have separated attachments to the meniscus, except for the lower aspect of the popliteal hiatus. Histologically, the lower half of the popliteal hiatus was found to have separated attachments, with vessels running between the attachments of the joint capsules. The synovial layer of the joint capsule continued to the superficial network, and the fibrous layer of the joint capsule continued to the lamellar layer and tie fibres. There were two routes of arterial entry into the meniscus: intracapsular and intercapsular. It appeared that the presence of separated attachments of the joint capsule was necessary to allow the intercapsular route. This study clarified for the first time the routes of feeding vessels entering the meniscus and proposed to call this entry point the meniscus hilum. We consider that this detailed anatomical information is important for understanding the continuation between the joint capsule and the meniscus.

Comparative study of the peroneus tertius muscle in pigs based on the origin, course, insertion and innervation

“…A total of 20 lower limbs of pigs were used in this study, of which four adult pigs were purchased from Nansyu Natural Pork (Kagoshima, Japan) and 16 fetal pig lower limbs were purchased from Bio Corporation (Minnesota, USA). For fetal pigs purchased from the United States, merchants have performed 10% formalin circulation fixation and injected red latex into the arterial system and blue latex into the venous system to identify the blood vessels [2,14,15]. Fetal are suitable for Sihler's staining, while adult pigs are suitable for gross dissection for nerve identification.…”

“…Masson's trichrome staining was performed according to the methods described in our previous studies [14,15]. Briefly:…”