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Morphology and morphometry of lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoids

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Abstract

The lateral atlantoaxial joints contain folds of synovium termed meniscoids that may potentially contribute to cervical spine pain; however, the anatomy of these structures has not been comprehensively investigated. The purpose of this study was to explore the morphology and morphometry of lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoids. Twelve cadaveric hemi-spines (6 female; 6 left; mean 81.5 years, SD 7.3) were obtained for dissection and disarticulation of the lateral atlantoaxial joints. Meniscoids were identified and measurements made of surface area, length, and surrounding articular cartilage degeneration. Tissue was sectioned sagittally, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and examined by light microscopy. Data were analyzed descriptively and using nonparametric techniques. Ventral and dorsal meniscoids (24 in total) were found in each joint, and could be classified histologically into adipose (32 %), fibrous (41 %), and fibroadipose (27 %) meniscoids. No significant associations were found between meniscoid size and age, histology, cartilage degeneration, or joint position. Meniscoid length in males was significantly greater than in females (P = 0.04). Fibrous meniscoids were noted to be associated with articular cartilage degeneration, and adipose and fibroadipose meniscoids with intact cartilage (P = 0.05). Fibrous meniscoids tended to be located dorsally (78 %), whereas adipose meniscoids were mostly located ventrally (86 %). Distinct patterns in lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoid morphology were observed, including the association of fibrous meniscoid composition with dorsal joint position and articular cartilage degeneration. The clinical significance of these patterns remains uncertain, and further research is needed to examine these structures across the lifespan and in cervical pathology.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge Dr. Jonathan Broadbent for providing items of equipment, A/Prof. Phil Sheard for his methodological advice, and Amanda Fisher for her technical expertise. Study costs were met by The University of Newcastle Research Training Scheme graduate student funding. SF is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship. The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge those individuals who so kindly donated their bodies to the University of Otago body donation program.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, HA06 Hunter Building, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia

    Scott F. Farrell, Peter G. Osmotherly & Darren A. Rivett

  2. Centre for Society, Governance and Science, Faculty of Law, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Jon Cornwall

  3. Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Jon Cornwall

  4. Centre for Health Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland

    Jon Cornwall

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  1. Scott F. Farrell
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  2. Peter G. Osmotherly
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  4. Darren A. Rivett
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Correspondence to Scott F. Farrell.

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Farrell, S.F., Osmotherly, P.G., Cornwall, J. et al. Morphology and morphometry of lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoids. Anat Sci Int 91, 89–96 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-015-0276-z

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