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Vascularity and neuroreceptors of the pes anserinus: Anatomic Study
Author(s) -
Zaffagnini S.,
Golanò P.,
Farinas O.,
Depasquale V.,
Strocchi R.,
Cortecchia S.,
Marcacci M.,
Visani A.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
clinical anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1098-2353
pISSN - 0897-3806
DOI - 10.1002/ca.10073
Subject(s) - medicine , anatomy , vascularity , cadaver , tendon , neurovascular bundle , india ink , sural nerve , surgery
The primary aim of this work was to evaluate the neurovascular network of the pes anserinus (PA) at its tibial insertion because the PA is often used for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Four fresh cadaver knees were injected with India ink gelatin solution and the arteries that supply blood to the PA were identified; microscopic studies of vessels and nerve fibers were also performed. Superficial and deep branches of the inferior medial genicular artery contribute to an arterial arch that courses deep to the PA insertion. A widespread array of small vessels and nerve fibers penetrate the PA insertion and course along the length of the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons. Computer analysis revealed that the mean diameter of the vessels decreased from 2,201 μm at the insertion to 661 μm midway along the length of the tendon (mean tendon length = 17 cm; range = 13–21 cm); the cross‐sectional area of the vessels per histologic section decreased from 336.37–137.05 μm 2 . This study demonstrates that the PA insertion is well vascularized and richly innervated and that these morphological features continue along the length of the tendons. Clin. Anat. 16:19–24, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.