Anatomy and pathophysiology of the popliteal tendon area in the lateral meniscus: 1. Arthroscopic and anatomical investigation

Arthroscopy. 1992;8(4):419-23. doi: 10.1016/0749-8063(92)90001-r.

Abstract

An arthroscopic and anatomical investigation was performed to define the abnormal conditions of the popliteal tendon area in a lateral meniscus. Arthroscopic findings for 100 patients and anatomical observations of 10 amputated knees were analyzed. Five of the 10 dissected menisci were also examined histologically. Menisco-tibial coronary ligaments were classified into two types, as follows: type I--a coronary ligament covering an entire popliteal tendon beneath the meniscus; type II--a popliteal tendon visible beneath the meniscus through defects of the coronary ligament. Twenty-one of 100 cases were classified as type I, and 79 were classified as type II. Three of the 10 anatomical dissections were type I, and the remaining 7 were type II. Menisci in which the type I coronary ligaments were thought to be torn and menisci with type II coronary ligaments showed a rather marked mobility, but no conclusion could be reached.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Arthroscopy
  • Cadaver
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ligaments / anatomy & histology
  • Male
  • Menisci, Tibial* / anatomy & histology
  • Menisci, Tibial* / pathology
  • Menisci, Tibial* / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged