The fibular meniscus of the kangaroo as an adaptation against external tibial rotation during saltatorial locomotion

Miller, Adrian C.; Cake, Martin; Warburton, Natalie M.

doi:10.1111/joa.12683

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…The kangaroo fibula provides points of attachment for the M. extensor digitorum longus, M. extensor digitorum lateralis, M. peroneus digiti IV, M. peroneus longus, M. peroneus digiti V, M. flexor digitorum profundus, and M. popliteus muscles, largely associated with flexing, extending and abducting the digits (Hopwood and Butterfield, 1990). Its principal role during saltorial locomotion involves lateral articulations with the main loadbearing femorotibial articulation, with a fibular meniscus and a complex of ligaments, tissues, and muscles restricting movement of the proximal fibula in order to protect against external rotation of the tibia (Miller et al 2017). Therefore, the kangaroo fibula stabilizing the kangaroo ankle is well vascularized.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This ensures efficiency during low speed pentapedal locomotion and high speed bipedal hopping (Dawson et al 2014). The femorotibial articulation receives principal loadbearing, but a rotation torque is prevented due to a specialized knee complex (Miller et al 2017). The (distal) tibia receives predominantly bending and some axial load (Alexander and Vernon 1975).…”

Section: Macropus Giganteus Skeletal Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Limited prior histology records are available for any large kangaroo species. Soft tissue histology has been described for the fibular meniscus (Miller et al 2017) and used in other tissue analyses such spermatogenesis in sections from testes (Poole 1976). Femur and humerus bone histology has been described for M. fuliginosus in relation to ontogeny and the development of fibrocartilage entheses (Chinsamy and Warburton 2021).…”

Section: Macropus Giganteus Skeletal Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Intra-skeletal vascular density in a bipedal hopping macropod with implications for analyses of rib histology

2021

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Human ribs are thought to be less affected by mechanical strain at the microscopic level than limb bones, implying that rib remodeling better reflects bone physiological homeostasis. Here, we test the hypothesis that rib tissue will be well vascularized and thus enhance susceptibility to metabolic influence. An intra-skeletal comparison of bone vascular canal density was conducted using a macropod animal model adapted to bipedal habitual hopping. The right humerus, ulna, radius, femur, tibia, fibula, a mid-thoracic and upper-thoracic rib of an eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) were sectioned at the midshaft, from which histological sections were prepared. Bone vascularity from a maximum of 12 mm 2 of sub-periosteal parallel-fibred and lamellar bone was recorded, resulting in a total of 2,047 counted vessels. Vascular canal density data were corrected by cortical width, maximum length, and midshaft circumference robusticity indices computed for each bone. The fibula consistently had the highest vascular canal density, even when corrected for maximum length, cortical width and midshaft circumference robusticities. This was followed by the mid-and upperthoracic ribs. Vascularity differences between bones were relatively consistent whether vascular canal density was controlled for by cortical width or midshaft circumference robusticities. Vascular canal density and robusticity indices were also positively and negatively correlated (p < 0.05). Results confirm that the ribs are well vascularized, which facilitates bone metabolic processes such as remodeling, but the fibula also appears to be a well vascularized bone. Future research investigating human bone metabolism will benefit from examining thoracic rib or fibula samples.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Macropus Giganteus Skeletal Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Macropus Giganteus Skeletal Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Intra-skeletal vascular density in a bipedal hopping macropod with implications for analyses of rib histology

2021

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“…The phylogenetic tree structure follows that of Upham, Esselstyn, and Jetz (2019) and Gemmel et al (2020), though the position of turtles is not fully resolved (Lyson & Bever, 2020). Meniscal data are from 1: Haines (1942); 2: Parsons (1900); 3: Miller, Cake, and Warburton (2017); 4: Weissengruber et al (2006); 5: Proffen, McElfresh, Fleming, and Murray (2012); 6: Tardieu (1986); 7: Hulet, Rochcongar, et al (2016); 8: Le Minor (1990); and 9: Sonntag (1924). “np” indicates the menisci are not present, or extremely reduced…”

Section: Evolutionary History and Comparative Biomechanicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The menisci are not shock absorbers: A biomechanical and comparative perspective

Gecelter

Ilyaguyeva

Thompson

2021

The Anatomical Record

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The lateral and medial menisci are fibrocartilaginous structures in the knee that play a crucial role in normal knee biomechanics. However, one commonly cited role of the menisci is that they function as “shock absorbers.” Here we provide a critique of this notion, drawing upon a review of comparative anatomical and biomechanical data from humans and other tetrapods. We first review those commonly, and often exclusively, cited studies in support of a shock absorption function and show that evidence for a shock absorptive function is dubious. We then review the evolutionary and comparative evidence to show that (1) the human menisci are unremarkable in morphology compared with most other tetrapods, and (2) “shock” during locomotion is uncommon, with humans standing out as one of the only tetrapods that regularly experiences high levels of shock during locomotion. A shock‐absorption function does not explain the origin of menisci, nor are human menisci specialized in any way that would explain a unique shock‐absorbing function during human gait. Finally, we show that (3) the material properties of menisci are distinctly poorly suited for energy dissipation and that (4) estimations of meniscal energy absorption based on published data are negligible, both in their absolute amount and in comparison to other well‐accepted structures which mitigate shock during locomotion. The menisci are evolutionarily ancient structures crucial for joint congruity, load distribution, and stress reduction, among a number of other functions. However, the menisci are not meaningful shock absorbers, neither in tetrapods broadly, nor in humans.

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“…While there may be lessons for the treatment of human knee pathology within the stifle of the kangaroo, a biomechanical comparison of the two species has presently only been explored with respect to mechanical limits on running ability [14]. A comparison of the structural and functional differences between the human and kangaroo knee may provide further insights into the mechanics of the extensor mechanism within the context of an absent patella; however, such comparisons will require a dynamic assessment of knee biomechanics throughout a range of motion [15]. Given the complexity of the knee joint, development of a static model of the kangaroo in the first instance, will enable the establishment of accurate boundary conditions for a dynamic analysis [16] and confirm the viability of the static biomechanical profile for dynamic analysis [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a Dynamic Model of the Kangaroo Knee for Clinical Insights into Human Knee Pathology and Treatment: Establishing a Static Biomechanical Profile

Fatima¹,

Scholes²,

Zhong³

et al. 2019

Biomimetics

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There is limited understanding of how patella realignment or patellectomy to surgically manage patellofemoral pain (PFP) affects knee biomechanics. By analysing marsupials like kangaroos that lack an ossified patella, actionable biomimetic insight for the management of end-stage PFP could be gained. This study aimed to provide the foundation of a multi-stage approach, by establishing a static biomechanical profile of the kangaroo stifle that informs the inputs and factors requiring consideration for future dynamic analyses. Volumetric CT and MRI sequences were obtained for four hindlimbs from two Macropus giganteus specimens, from which three-dimensional models of the stifles were created. Two limbs were dissected to visualise the insertion points, origins and lines of action of the quadriceps muscles and the knee extensor mechanism. Static measurements were obtained from the three-dimensional models to establish the biomechanical profile. The results confirmed structural differences in the kangaroo stifle with lack of an ossified patella, a prominent tuberosity and a shorter femur, which functionally affect the mechanical advantage and the torque-generating capability of the joint. The data reported in this study can be used to inform the inputs and constraints of future comparative analyses from which important lessons can be learned for the human knee.

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The fibular meniscus of the kangaroo as an adaptation against external tibial rotation during saltatorial locomotion

Cited by 4 publications

References 29 publications

Intra-skeletal vascular density in a bipedal hopping macropod with implications for analyses of rib histology

Intra-skeletal vascular density in a bipedal hopping macropod with implications for analyses of rib histology

The menisci are not shock absorbers: A biomechanical and comparative perspective

Towards a Dynamic Model of the Kangaroo Knee for Clinical Insights into Human Knee Pathology and Treatment: Establishing a Static Biomechanical Profile

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