Eckstein F, Milz S, Anetzberger H, Putz R
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany.
J Anat. 1998 Jan;192 ( Pt 1)(Pt 1):81-90. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.1998.19210081.x.
The objective of this paper was to analyse sex differences of the thickness of the subchondral mineralised tissue zone (SMZ), and to find out whether systematic changes of SMZ thickness are associated with naturally occurring, non-full-thickness cartilage lesions of human patellae. In 32 methyl-methacrylate-embedded specimens (16 normal, 8 with focal medial, and 8 with lateral lesions) the SMZ thickness was determined, using a binocular macroscope and an image analysing system. In each case, the thickness distribution was reconstructed throughout the entire joint surface. The maximal and mean SMZ thicknesses were significantly higher in males than in females (P < 0.01). In normal patellae and those with lateral lesions, the thickness was significantly thicker laterally than medially (P < 0.05), but it was not in specimens with medial damage. Patellae with medial damage exhibited a significantly lower total mean and lateral mean (P < 0.05). A lower SMZ thickness was found directly beneath medial lesions than beneath lateral ones, but the local thickness was always in the range of that observed in normal specimens. We conclude that differences of patellar SMZ thickness exist between males and females. Naturally occurring cartilage lesions appear, however, not to be associated with local changes of SMZ thickness, but they may be associated with an altered regional distribution pattern within the joint surface.
本文的目的是分析髌下骨矿化组织区（SMZ）厚度的性别差异，并探究SMZ厚度的系统性变化是否与人类髌骨自然发生的非全层软骨损伤相关。在32个甲基丙烯酸甲酯包埋的标本（16个正常标本、8个内侧局灶性损伤标本和8个外侧损伤标本）中，使用双目显微镜和图像分析系统测定SMZ厚度。在每种情况下，重建整个关节表面的厚度分布。男性的最大和平均SMZ厚度显著高于女性（P < 0.01）。在正常髌骨和外侧损伤的髌骨中，外侧厚度显著厚于内侧（P < 0.05），但在内侧损伤的标本中并非如此。内侧损伤的髌骨总平均厚度和外侧平均厚度显著较低（P < 0.05）。在内侧损伤下方发现的SMZ厚度低于外侧损伤下方，但局部厚度始终在正常标本观察到的范围内。我们得出结论，男性和女性的髌骨SMZ厚度存在差异。然而，自然发生的软骨损伤似乎与SMZ厚度的局部变化无关，但可能与关节表面区域分布模式的改变有关。
