Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine dimensions of the normal menisci in 174 healthy subjects by using MRI. The menisci were divided into three zones (anterior horn, mid-body, posterior horn). The height and width of the both menisci were measured. For the medial meniscus; the height and width of the anterior horn were 5.32 mm and 7.78 mm, the height and width of the mid-body were 5.03 mm and 7.37 mm, and the height and width of the posterior horn were 5.53 mm and 11.71 mm, respectively. For the lateral meniscus, the height and width of the anterior horn were 4.33 mm and 8.88 mm, the height and width of the mid-body were 4.94 mm and 8.37 mm, and the height and width of the posterior horn were 5.36 mm and 9.70 mm, respectively. Three cases (1.7%) of discoid lateral meniscus were encountered. The results of this study should help to establish standard measurements, and to differentiate between normal and pathologic conditions of the menisci of the knee joint.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Araki Y, Yamamato H, Nakamura H, Tsukaguchi I (1994) MR diagnosis of discoid lateral menisci of the knee. Eur J Radiol 18: 92–95
Burk DL, Mitchell DG, Rifkin MD, Vinitski S (1990) Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. Radiol Clin N Am 28: 379–393
Crues JV, Ryu R, Morgan FW (1990) Meniscal pathology. Clin Orthop 252: 80–87
Dehaven KE, Arnoczky SP (1994) Meniscal repair. J Bone Joint Surg 76: 140–151
Ferrer Roca O, Vilalta C (1980) Lesions of the meniscus. I. Macroscopic and histologic findings. Clin Orthop 146: 289–300
Huiskes R, Kremers J, Lange A, Woltring HJ, Selvik G, Rens TJ (1985) Analytical stereophotogrammetric determination of three dimensional knee-joint geometry. J Biomech 18: 559–570
Ikeuchi H (1978) Supplementary study of arthroscopic anatomy on the knee joint. Part 2: menisci. J Jpn Orthop Assoc 52: 11–24
Karola M, Jizong G (1998) The menisci of the knee joint. Anatomical and functional characteristics, and a rationale for clinical treatment. J Anat 193: 161–178
Modest VE, Murphy MC, Mann RW (1989) Optical verification of a technique for ultrasonic measurement of articular cartilage thickness. J Biomech 22: 171–176
Reicher MA, Hartzman S, Basset LW, Mandelbaum B, Duckwiler G, Gold RH (1987) MR imaging of the knee. Part II. Traumatic disorders. Radiology 162: 547–551
Samoto N, Kozuma M, Tokuhisa T, Kobayashi K (2002). Diagnosis of discoid lateral meniscus of the knee on MR imaging. Magnet Res Imaging 20: 59–64
Silverman JM, Mink JH, Deutsch AL (1989) Discoid menisci of the knee: MR imaging appearance. Radiology 173: 351–354
Stephen JP (1990) The knee. In: Pomeranz S (ed) Gamuts and pearls in MRI and orthopedics, 1st edn. William & Byrd, Cincinnati, p 22
Stoller DW (1997) The knee. In: Stoller D (ed) Magnetic resonance imaging in orthopaedics and sports medicine, 2nd edn. Lippincott-Raven Press, New York, pp 252–277
Stone KR, Stoller DW, Irving SG, Elmquist C, Gildengorin G (1994) 3D MRI volume sizing of knee meniscus cartilage. Arthroscopy 10: 641–644
Williams PL, Bannister LH, Berry MM, Collins P (1995) Skeletal system. In: Williams PL (ed) Gray’s anatomy, 38th edn. Churchill-Livingstone, London, pp 697–704
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Erbagci, H., Gumusburun, E., Bayram, M. et al. The normal menisci: in vivo MRI measurements. Surg Radiol Anat 26, 28–32 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-003-0182-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-003-0182-2