Morphometric studies on the passive role of menisci in upward fixation of the patella in buffalo and cattle

Abstract

The present study showed that the medial and lateral compartments of the femorotibial joint have an intervening meniscus located between the femur and tibia. The lateral meniscus is semicircular and covers a larger portion of the tibial condyle than the medial meniscus. The lateral meniscus has cranial and caudal meniscal ligaments anchoring it to the tibia. The present investigation shows that the dimensions of the meniscal ligaments of buffalo and cattle are almost the same except for the caudal ligament of lateral meniscus and the meniscofemoral ligament. The caudal ligament of lateral meniscus is longer in buffalo than in cattle. Therefore, the femur moves more cranially than normal to straighten the joint. The meniscofemoral ligament is thicker in cattle (6.55±0.04 mm) than in buffalo (3.85±0.05 mm). Therefore, it helps to stabilize the movement of the menisci. Furthermore, the presence of the transverse genual ligament which fixes the two menisci cranially increases stability and prevents a more forward movement of the femur.