Mechanoreceptors in the human medial meniscus.

Medial menisci, obtained at autopsy, were sectioned into radial segments which were stained in bulk using a modified gold chloride method following pretreatment with Triton X-100. Segments were then sectioned on a sliding microtome at 100 microns, mounted on slides, dehydrated and coverslipped. Axons were seen penetrating from the perimeniscal tissue into the outer third of the meniscus with a heavier concentration at the horns. Neural elements were identified in the perimeniscal tissue and in the outer and middle thirds of the meniscus, but not in the inner third. The medial meniscus is capable of afferent input to the central nervous system of importance to the biomechanical function of the joint.