A descriptive and morphometric study of the fabellofibular, arcuate popliteal and popliteofibular ligaments

Abstract

Objectives:The anatomical relationship of the fibrous structures in the posterolateral corner of the knee is highly complex,with many different descriptions of these structures in the literature. Discrepancy in the definitions of FF, AL and PF are aproblem for both clinicians and anatomists. This study aimed to examine these structures and describe their features to clarify our understanding of their morphology. Methods: The posterolateral corner of the knee joint was bilaterally dissected in 10 male cadavers. Fibrous structures originating from the fibular head as a common mass were defined in relation to their attachment sites and positions according to theinferior lateral genicular vessels. The fabellofibular ligament (FF) was grouped into two categories, depending on the presenceof a dense, fibrous tissue band. The arcuate popliteal ligament components were grouped into superficial (ALs) and deep (ALd)by their position relative to the inferior lateral genicular vessels. The popliteofibular ligament (PF) was identified as the fibrousbundle attached to the inferior border of popliteus tendon (PT). Dimensions of these structures were measured, and statisticalanalyses undertaken using paired and independent t-tests (p