Mechanoreceptors of the cruciate ligament of rabbit

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to identify the mechanoreceptors in the cruciate ligament of rabbit. Ten fresh ligaments were taken from dissected knee joints of adult rabbits and stained immediately according to a modification of gold chloride technique. Three types of nerve endings [mechanoreceptors] were observed in the surrounding connective tissue and the septa between collagen fibers of the ligaments. The receptors of type I were ovoid or spherical, type II were elongated and tortuous and type III were fusiform in shape. Each type receptors had a capsule of variable lamellae, pierced by a myelinated nerve axon. These mechanoreceptors seemed to provide the central nervous system with information pertaining the position of joint and the tension applied to the ligament during animal locomotion and posture