Meniscus
It is a crescent-shaped structure present in the wrist, knee, sternoclavicular, temporomandibular and acromioclavicular joints of humans. The meniscus is made of fibrocartilage that provides integrity to the knee when it is under torsion and tension. The fibrocartilaginous tissue reduces the friction between the tibia and femur. Also, the menisci help in dispersing the body load at the point where the tibia and femur meet.
Here, the blood flows from the periphery to the central meniscus, and this flow reduces with age. During adulthood, the central meniscus becomes avascular, and thus slows the healing process.
Ligament
It is also a fibrous connective tissue that is seen in between the bones. Ligaments help in the proper articulation of the bone. They are analogous to the tendons. The ligaments show viscoelasticity under stress. They get strained under tension, and they gradually return when the tension is detached. The four different types of ligaments in the knee joint are –
- Anterior cruciate ligament
- Posterior cruciate ligament
- Lateral collateral ligament
- Medial collateral ligament
Difference between Meniscus and Ligament
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Meniscus |
Ligament |
|---|---|
|
It is a crescent-shaped structure that provides integrity to the knee. |
It is a fibrous connective tissue that is found between the bones. |
|
It is seen in the wrist, knee, sternoclavicular, temporomandibular and acromioclavicular joints of humans. |
It is present in all bone joints. |
|
It is made of smooth and elastic fibrocartilaginous tissue. |
It is characterized by dense connective tissue that has parallelly arranged collagen fibres. |
|
It helps to reduce friction and also maintains the integrity of the knee joint. |
It helps to connect one bone with another bone. Also, it maintains the posture of organs. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between tendons and ligaments?
Tendons are connective tissues that help to connect the muscles and the bones. Ligaments are also fibrous connective tissue similar to tendons. But, ligaments connect one bone with another bone.
What are connective tissues?
Connective tissues are usually found in between most body tissues. These tissues are made up of three components, namely the – fibres (collagen and elastic), gel-like ground substance and cells.
What is an unhappy triad?
Any disruption in the knee due to external tension or stress can result in an unhappy triad or blown knee. This includes injury in the medial collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus.
Further Reading:
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