Abstract

The distribution of blood flow in the menisci was investigated in 23 anaesthetized mongreal dogs. The blood flow was determined by means of radioactive microspheres injected intracordially and reference samples were taken from the aorta at a constant rate of 22.5 ml/min. The menisci were dissected in separate parts and the gamma radiation of the specimens was counted in a scintillation counter to assess the blood flow. The rate of blood flow in the medial meniscus was 5.55 ml per 100 g per min in the peripheral part and 2.51 ml per 100 g per min in the inner part. The corresponding figures were 3.09 and 2.33 for the lateral meniscus. No significant differences between the anterior horn, the middle section and the posterior horn were demonstrated. In the medial meniscus the rate of blood flow was 9 times lower in the central part (0.30) than in the surface-near part (2.78). In the lateral meniscus the rate of blood flow was 16 times lower in the central part (0.12) than in the surface-near part (1.88). Verf.-Referat