Abstract
Aim: To analyze morphometric measurements of anterior cruciate ligament, gracilis and semitendinosus tendons and the blood supply of gracilis and semitendinosus tendons with its clinical importance.
Methods: Sixteen preserved human cadaveric legs were used after lead oxide injection into the external iliac artery. The tendons gracilis and semitendinosus muscle were dissected carefully to measure their lengths, diameters and cross-sectional areaa and to identify their arterial blood supply.
Results: The mean length, diameter and cross-sectional area of anterior cruciate ligament were 4.1 +/- 0.03 cm, 6.2 +/- 0.04 mm and 30.6 mm(2); those of gracilis tendon were 18.9 +/- 0.71cm, 6.3 +/- 0.17 mm and 30 +/- 0.18 mm(2) respectively while those of semitendinosus tendon were 25 +/- 0.06 cm, 7 +/- 0.12 mm and 3038.9 +/- 0.23 mm(2) respectively. Each tendon has a longitudinal artery from the lower pedicle of the muscle; that received tributaries from the regional arteries through fascial bands. These vessels anastomosed with the periosteal branches of the upper part of the medial surface of the tibia.
Conclusion: Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction, maintaining the insertion of the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons can help to preserve their blood supply with consequent expected better prognosis.