ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
Fibrous tissue
;
Joint surface
;
Tibia plateau
;
Kangaroo
;
Mammals
;
Pressure absorption
;
Joint mechanics
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The central part of the articular surface on the tibia plateau of Macropus agilis consists of fibrous cartilage of soft consistency and the fiber arrangement is macroscopically visible. The peripheral portions of the plateau are covered by hyaline cartilage but do not communicate with the hyaline articular surfaces of the femur, as they are covered by the menisci. The fibrous cartilage covering of the tibia plateau is a compliant or readily deformed pad that could serve the function of deforming enough under high joint loads to allow surrounding regions of the articular cartilage to share in carrying those loads, thereby magnifying the articular contact surface and decreasing the magnitude of the peak unit loads in the region of the fibrous tissue pad. This pressure-absorbing mechanism represents the evolutionary response to the higher articular stress resulting from kangaroo locomotion. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Material:
5 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1092380303
