The vascular and nerve supply of the human meniscus

Twenty-three fresh, cadaver knees were studied to evaluate details of the vascular and nerve supply of the menisci in humans. Vascularity was investigated using dye and latex injections, and the nerve supply was studied microscopically using a variety of special stains. Vessels arise mainly from medial and lateral inferior and middle geniculate arteries. Radial branches from a perimeniscal plexus enter the meniscus at intervals, with a richer supply to the anterior and posterior horns. Vessels supplying the body are limited to the peripheral one-third, except in the fetus. There is an avascular area adjacent to the popliteus tendon. The perimeniscal tissue is richly innervated. Most nerves are associated with vessels. Smaller nerves and axons run radially in convoluted patterns. Single axons course through the perimeniscal tissue, and many nerves are seen in the interstitial tissue of the outer one-third of the meniscus and in the anterior and posterior horns. The inner two-thirds has no nerve fibers.