AGE-RELATED BLOOD AND LYMPH SUPPLY OF THE KNEE MENISCI - A CADAVER STUDY

We investigated 20 human menisci (22 weeks of gestation-80 years) immu nohistochemically with an antibody against laminine in the basement me mbrane. Differentiation of blood vessels and lymphatics was possible w ith histochemical proof of alkaline phosphatase and 5' nucleotidase in the endothelium. Blood vessels entered the menisci from the joint cap sule accompanied by loose connective tissue. In the 22nd gestational w eek, vessels could only be found in the lateral third. At the time of birth, nearly the whole meniscus was vascularized. In the second year of life, an avascular area developed inside the inner circumference. I n the second decennium, blood vessels occurred only in the lateral thi rd. After 50 years of age, only the lateral quarter of the meniscal ba se was vascularized. The dense connective tissue of the insertion was vascularized, but not the fibrocartilage of the insertion. Blood vesse ls were accompanied by lymphatics in all areas.