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The ultrastructure of sensory nerve endings in human anterior cruciate ligament

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Summary

The sensory innervation of the anterior cruciate ligament (ligamentum cruciatum anterius) of the human knee joint was studied by light-and electron microscopy. The connective tissue between the synovial membrane and the cruciate ligament contains small Ruffini corpuscles and lamellar corpuscles with several inner cores. The connective tissue septa between the individual fascicles of the cruciate ligament contain Ruffini corpuscles and free nerve endings. The free nerve endings are innervated by C-fibres and myelinated A-delta fibres. The afferent axons of Ruffini corpuscles are myelinated and measure 4–6 μm in diameter, those of the lamellar corpuscles with several inner cores measure about 6 μm in diameter.

It is discussed, whether these receptors of the anterior cruciate ligament may influence the muscle tone via polysynaptic reflexes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung für Funktionelle Anatomie, Anatomisches Institut der Universität Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, D-200, Hamburg 20, Federal Republic of Germany

    Zdenek Halata

  2. Staatl. Orthopäd. Klinik München, Harlachinger Strasse 51, D-8000, München 90, Federal Republic of Germany

    Joachim Haus

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  1. Zdenek Halata
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  2. Joachim Haus
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Supported by Verein zur Förderung der Erforschung und Bekämpfung rheumatischer Krankheiten e.V., Bad Bramstedt and DFG (Ha 1194/3-1).

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Halata, Z., Haus, J. The ultrastructure of sensory nerve endings in human anterior cruciate ligament. Anat Embryol 179, 415–421 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319583

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