Morphometric and histological characterisation of the menisci of domestic cats (Felis catus)

Azman, Dhiya Athirah (2022) Morphometric and histological characterisation of the menisci of domestic cats (Felis catus). [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Menisci are fibrocartilaginous structures interposed between the femoral and tibial condyles of the stifle joint. The meniscus involves load-bearing and distribution, shock absorption and joint stabilisation. The basic understanding of the feline meniscus's structural, compositional and functional characteristics is limited. Understanding the menisci's normal anatomy is a prerequisite to understanding the pathogenesis of abnormality involving the stifle. The current study aimed to determine the morphometric characteristics of the feline menisci. In addition, the study also characterised the regional and zonal histological features of the feline menisci. A total of 120 menisci were obtained from 30 skeletally mature cat cadavers. The peripheral extension, width and thickness, circumference of body and body with horns, articulating height and superior articulating length were measured. The histomorphometric assessment was conducted to determine the meniscal cellularity and histomorphology. Each meniscus was evaluated and scored in the different regions (cranial horn, body, caudal horn) and zones (outer, middle, inner). The Safranin O staining evaluated the proteoglycan content. The collagen distribution was assessed using a Picrosirius stain. The most common shape of the medial meniscus was crescentic (66.67%), and that of the lateral meniscus was C-shaped (86.67%). The morphometric analysis revealed that the lateral menisci significantly differed (P<0.05) in circumference, thickness, width and articulating height from the medial menisci. Cell density was not significantly different across the regions. However, the cellularity decreases from the outer zone to the deep zone of the menisci. Proteoglycan content was not found to differ in different regions but was found to be significantly increased (P<0.05) in the middle meniscal zone. Collagen content was considerably higher in the menisci's cranial region and deep zone. The current study revealed variations in the morphometric of medial and lateral menisci and histological features of the region and zone of feline menisci.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Depositing User:	Ms Nurhaznita Mahmood
Date Deposited:	30 May 2024 07:33
Last Modified:	30 May 2024 07:33
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1839

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