Morphometric Analysis of Medial and Lateral Menisci of the Knee Joint in Adult Human Cadavers

Abstract

Background: The knee joint bears substantial mechanical loads, and the medial and lateral menisci play a crucial role in load transmission, shock absorption, joint stability, lubrication, and proprioception. Alterations in meniscal morphology disrupt normal biomechanics and contribute to pain, functional impairment, and early osteoarthritis. Accurate morphometric data are therefore essential for clinical assessment, surgical planning, and meniscal reconstruction. Objective: To analyse the morphology and morphometric parameters of medial and lateral menisci in adult human cadavers and to assess side-wise variations relevant to clinical practice.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cadaver-based study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry. Thirty-one embalmed adult cadavers were dissected, yielding 62 menisci. Meniscal shape, outer and inner circumferences, regional width and thickness (anterior, middle, and posterior thirds), surface area, menisco–tibial coverage ratios, and weight were measured using standardized techniques. Data were analysed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Results: Medial menisci predominantly exhibited a normal crescentic shape, while lateral menisci showed greater morphological variability with U-shaped forms being most common. No significant side-wise differences were observed in meniscal shape. Most morphometric parameters—including thickness, surface area, tibial coverage ratios, and weight—were bilaterally symmetrical. However, the lateral meniscus showed a significantly greater outer circumference on the right side, and the medial meniscus demonstrated significantly greater width at the anterior and middle thirds on the right. A significant difference was also noted in a derived medial meniscus ratio.

Conclusion: Adult knee menisci show a high degree of bilateral symmetry, with selective regional and composite differences, particularly involving the medial meniscus. These findings provide clinically relevant anatomical reference data that may aid meniscal repair, transplantation, and the design of anatomically compatible meniscal replacements