[Structural organization of the menisci of the human knee: scanning electron microscopy study].

The structure of the meniscus of the knee joint was studied in 10 human subjects after meniscectomy for acute trauma. The specimens were studied by scanning electron microscopy after cryofracture. Collagen fibres are arranged in two layers: a thin superficial zone with radially oriented fibres and a deep zone with circumferentially oriented ones. Deep fibres are surrounded by oblique fascicules. The cells are rare and oval-shaped. The observations enhance the hypothesis that the meniscus of the knee joint is not a real fibrocartilage.