Thickness of Tidemark in Enthesis Fibrocartilage at Distal Epiphyseal Attachment of Quadriceps Tendon and Semimembranosus Tendon
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Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College (JRMC); 2015;19(3):258-259 Original Article Thickness of Tidemark in Enthesis Fibrocartilage at Distal Epiphyseal Attachment of Quadriceps Tendon and Semimembranosus Tendon Tahzeeb-Ul-Hassan1, Amer Qayum1, Tassaduq Hussain 2 1.Department of Anatomy, Rawalpindi Medical College Rawalpindi;2.Central Park Medical College, Lahore. Abstract interface. Microscopically it has four zones. These include pure ligament or tendon, uncalcified Background: To compare width of zone of fibrocartilage, calcified fibrocartilage and bone. Zones tidemark at distal attachment of quadriceps tendon of uncalcified fibrocartilage and calcified fibrocartilage and semimembranosus tendon by routine histology are collectively called enthesis fibrocartilage.3-6 in view of their role as mechanical barrier and site Enthesis fibrocartilage reduces wear and tear and for osteoarthritic live degenerative changes. forms one of the protective devices. Enthesis Methods: The specimens of right sided distal fibrocartilage is also the site of pathological changes attachment of quadriceps tendon on patella and during ankylosis spondylitis and semimembranosus tendon on tibia were collected spondyloarthopathies. The layers of calcified and from 20 male cadavers of adult age not beyond 40 uncalcified fibrocartilage at an enthesis are separated years from autopsy room, within 24 hours of death. by calcification front called as tidemark.7,8 Although After fixation, dehydration and processing 5um tidemark separates the calcified and uncalcified serial sections were cut at 500um interval along the fibrocartilages, the collagen fibers in two layers are long axis of the tendons. The varying thickness of continuous.9,10 The tidemark is smooth at sites with tidemark were calculated. much uncalcified fibrocartilage.5 Results: There were four zones at the attachment sites. These included (1) tendon (2) uncalcified Patients and Methods fibrocartilage, (3) calcified fibrocartilage, (4) bone. From central portion of attachment zones of The zone of uncalcified fibrocartilage was separated quadriceps tendon (group A) and semimembranosus from calcified fibrocartilage by calcification front tendon (group B), strips approximately 3mm were called tidemark. There were marked differences in taken. The specimens were taken from right sided width of zone of tidemark between quadriceps knee joints (devoid of gross pathological changes) of tendon and semimembranosus tendon insertion. 20 male humans not beyond 40 years old from autopsy Conclusion: The thickness of zone of tidemark is room of District Headquarter Hospital, Rawalpindi. greater in semimembranosus tendon than The specimen were fixed in 10% neutral buffered quadriceps tendon. As quadriceps tendon is strong formalin, decalcified in 2% nitric acid (end point being extensor with greater mobility and exert more force determined by palpation), dehydrated with graded than semimembranosus which is one of weak flexor alcohols, cleared in inhibisol and embedded in of knee joint, so width tidemark is more in paramat. Serial sections were cut at 5um and two semimembronosus tendon than quadriceps tendon. sections were obtained after each 500µm interval along Key Words: Epiphysis, Quadriceps tendon, the long axis of the tendons and stained with hematoxyline and eosin. The width of tidemark was Semimembranosus tendon, Tidemark measured with the help of ocular micrometer. The Introduction arithmetic mean of observations and standard error of The enthesis is the point of insertion of the tendon, the means were calculated. t--test was used to analyse ligament, joint capsule or fascia to bone.1,2 There are the significant difference between two group A & B. two types of enthesis. Fibrous enthesis and The difference was regarded significant, if the p-value fibrocartilaginous enthesis. Fibrous enthesis is was equal to or less than 0.05. characterized by pure dense fibrous connective tissue Results that links the tendon or ligament to the bone. The There were striking differences between the width of fibrocartilaginous enthesis is characterized by a zone of tidemark at insertion of quadriceps tendon transitional zone of fibrocartilage at bone-tendon and semimembranosus tendon (Table 1). The width of 258 Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College (JRMC); 2015;19(3):258-259 zone of tidemark was greater in tendon of The present study suggested that there were striking semimembranosus (mean 0.2440um ± 0.03089), i.e, it differences in the width of zone of tidemark at the exceeded the width of zone of tidemark in quadriceps epiphyseal attachment sites of quadriceps tendon and tendon. (mean 0.1167um ± 0.01234) (Table 1;Figure 1 & semimembranosus tendon. The thickness of zone of 2. tidemark was maximum in semimembranosus tendon Table 1: Comparison of width of tidemark in than quadriceps tendon. As quadriceps tendon is group A & B strong extensor, it exerts more force and mobility, so Mean Std. Std. Error tidemark is smooth and less in thickness than Group N (um) Deviation Mean semimembranosus which is one of flexor of knee joint. Tidemarks GroupA 20 0.1167 0.01234 0.00319 GroupB 20 0.2440 0.03089 0.00798 Conclusion Uncalcified 1.The thickness of tidemark was greater in fibrocartilage semimembranosus tendon than quadriceps tendon. 2.As quadriceps tendon is strong extensor with greater mobility and exerts more force so tidemark is smooth Calcified fibrocartilage and decreased in thickness than semimembranosus. Tidemark Bon References e 1. Dolgo-Saburoff B. Uber ursprung und insertion der Skelettmuskeln. Anat Anz 1929; 68: 8–87. Figure 1:Quadriceps tendon insertion into patella (group 2. Benjamin M, Evans EJ, Copp L. The histology of tendon attachments to bone in man. J Anat 1986;149:89-100. A), showing nuclei of chondrocytes (Nc) in the zone of 3. Redler I, Mow VC, Zimny ML, Mansell J. The ultrastructure and uncalcified fibrocartilage: tidemark, calcified biomechanical significance of the tidemark of articular cartilage. fibrocartilage, lamellar bone. 1040, H&E stain Clin Orthop 1975;112:357-62. 4. 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