Meridional almost normal surfaces in knot complements (Q1007166)

The following theorem is proved: Let \(K\) be a knot in a closed, orientable, irreducible 3-manifold \(M\) and assume its complement \(M_K= M-N(K)\) to be irreducible. Then for any integer \(n\) there is a triangulation \({\mathcal T}\) of \(M_K\) such that if \(S\) is a bridge surface for \(K\) of at most \(n\) bridges that gives an irreducible Heegaard splitting of \(M\), and \(S_K=S-N(K)\) is weakly incompressible, then \(S_K\) is properly isotopic in \(M_K\) to an almost normal surface with respect to \({\mathcal T}\). The strategy of the proof follows \textit{M. Stocking}'s paper [Trans. Am. Soc. 352, No.~1, 171--207 (2000; Zbl 0933.57016)] which considers Heegard surfaces instead of bridge surfaces. The actual proof, though, differs essentially in details and the tools employed.