The morphogenesis of the stifle joint in Korean cattle embryos and fetuses was observed by radiography, alizarin red S stain and light microscopy.
Forty-eight (48) embryos and fetuses, ranging from 11㎜ to 160㎜ in crown-rump length (C-R L) , were used for this study. The experimental samples were divided into twelve separate groups according to their C-R L.
The first to the ninth group ranged from 11-100㎜ in C-R L, spaced at l0㎜ intervals. The tenth to the twelfth group ranged in C-R L from l0l㎜ to 160㎜, and were spaced at 20㎜ intervals.
The results were as follows ;
1. The first appearance of the interzone between the femur and tibia was formed in the second experimental group. The patellar ligament and cruciate ligament appeared in the third group and the patella, menisci and synovial cavity appeared in the fourth group.
2. The lateral and medial menisci were first observed in the fourth group, and these structures showed crescent shape in the fifth group of the fetuses.
3. The first appearance of the femoro-tibial joint cavity was in the third group. The fifth group contained the first appearance of the patello-femoral cavity. Also, the femoro-tibial cavity was divided into two cavities by the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament.
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