Spatial Change of Cruciate Ligaments in Rat Embryo Knee Joint by Three-Dimensional Reconstruction.

Xiangkai Zhang,Hiroshi Kuroki,Ryota Takaishi,Tetsuya Takakuwa,Shigehito Yamada,Shinya Higuchi,Tomoki Aoyama,Luc Malaval

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0131092

Xiangkai Zhang, Hiroshi Kuroki + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0131092

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Jun 22, 2015
Citations: 4	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Kyoto University

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the spatial developmental changes of rat cruciate ligaments by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction using episcopic fluorescence image capture (EFIC). Cruciate ligaments of Wister rat embryos between embryonic day (E) 16 and E20 were analyzed. Samples were sectioned and visualized using EFIC. 3D reconstructions were generated using Amira software. The length of the cruciate ligaments, distances between attachment points to femur and tibia, angles of the cruciate ligaments and the cross angle of the cruciate ligaments were measured. The shape of cruciate ligaments was clearly visible at E17. The lengths of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) increased gradually from E17 to E19 and drastically at E20. Distances between attachment points to the femur and tibia gradually increased. The ACL angle and PCL angle gradually decreased. The cross angle of the cruciate ligaments changed in three planes. The primordium of the 3D structure of rat cruciate ligaments was constructed from the early stage, with the completion of the development of the structures occurring just before birth.

Highlights

[1] The cruciate ligaments consist of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
In our previous study reported by Takaishi,[7] we showed the 3D structural development of the rat knee joint using episcopic fluorescence image capture (EFIC)
The knee joint was observed using histological sections with Hematoxylin Eosin (HE) staining between E16 and E20 (Fig 2)

Summary

Introduction

The cruciate ligaments of the knee joint are a pair of ligaments arranged in the shape of an X. [1] The cruciate ligaments consist of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). [1] The cruciate ligaments consist of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The ACL lies anterolaterally, connecting the anterior part of the upper surface of the tibia to the inner aspect of the lateral condyle of the femur.[2] The PCL lies posteromedially and attaches the back of the upper surface of the tibia to the inner aspect of the medial condyle of the femur.[3] They are important for stabilizing the articulating bones (femur and tibia), especially during movement.[4] The ACL resists anterior instability and internal rotation of the tibia.[5] The PCL resists posterior instability.[3] Injury of the cruciate ligaments can lead to knee instability, meniscal damage, and osteoarthritis (OA). Knowledge of the three dimensional (3D) anatomic structure and PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0131092 June 22, 2015

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