Histological studies on the development of the stifle joint in Korean cattle

한우의 무릎관절 발생에 관한 조직학적 연구

The morphogenesis of the stifle joint in Korean cattle embryos and fetuses was observed by radiography, alizarin red S stain and light microscopy. Fourty-eight(48) embryos and fetuses, ranging from 11mm to 160mm in crown-rump length (C-R L), were used for this study. The experimental samples were divided into twelve separate groups according to their C-R L. The first to the nineth group ranged from 11-100mm in C-R L, spaced at 10mm intervals. The tenth to the twelfth group ranged in C-R L from 101mm to 160mm, and were spaced at 20mm intervals. The results were as follows; 1. The first appearance of the interzone between the femur and tibia was formed in the second experimental group. The patellar ligament and cruciate ligament appeared in the third group and the patella, menisci and synovial cavity appeared in the fourth group. 2. The lateral and medial menisci were first obseved in the fourth group, and these structures showed crescent shape in the fifth group of the fetuses. 3. The first appearance of the femoro-tibial joint cavity was in the third group. The fifth group contained the first appearance of the patello-femoral cavity. Also, the femoro-tibial cavity was divided into two cavities by the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament.