Evaluation of the use of tannic acid in preparation of the rabbit knee meniscus for scanning electron microscopy.

The femoral faces of medial and lateral menisci of the rabbit knee were structurally reinforced with tannic acid and studied using the scanning electron microscope. Significant improvement in preservation of the meniscal surfaces, as compared to previous studies, was brought about by the structural reinforcement technique. Menisci, although detacted from tibial plateaux, retained well their shape, dimensions, and microarchitecture. Differences in surface morphology between medial and lateral menisci and between longitudinal sectors on menisci were recorded. Appearances of surface irregulatities were reduced to a very low level, and the possibility that this minimum exists in situ is forwarded.