%0 Journal Article
%T Meniscofibular Ligament: Morphology and Functional Significance of a Relatively Unknown Anatomical Structure
%A K. Natsis
%A G. Paraskevas
%A N. Anastasopoulos
%A T. Papamitsou
%A A. Sioga
%J Anatomy Research International
%D 2012
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2012/214784
%X Purpose. A relatively unknown ligamentous structure of the posterolateral corner of the knee joint, the so-called meniscofibular ligament (MFL), was investigated as regards its macroscopic morphology, its histological features, and its reaction to knee movements. Material and Methods. MFL was exposed on 21 fresh-frozen unpaired knee joints. Its microscopic morphology was examined utilizing for comparison the fibular collateral and the popliteofibular ligament. Results. MFL was encountered in 100% of the specimens as a thin striplike fibrous band extending between the lower border of the lateral meniscus and the head of the fibula. MFL was tense during knee extension and external rotation of the tibia, whereas its histological features were similar to those of fibular collateral and popliteofibular ligament. Discussion. Its precise histological nature is studied as well as its tension alterations during knee movements. The potential functional significance of the MFL with respect to its role in avoidance of lateral meniscus and lateral coronary ligament tears is discussed. Conclusions. MFL presumably provides an additional protection to the lateral meniscus during the last stages of knee extension, as well as to the lateral coronary ligament reducing the possibility of a potential rupture. 1. Introduction The posterolateral corner of the knee joint is an anatomical area where serious interest has been appeared recently by anatomists as well as orthopaedic surgeons. The complexity of the anatomical structures constituting this area and the confused nomenclature of the ligaments and capsular thickenings concentrate the interest of many researchers [1¨C4]. Such a raised interest is due to the fact that posterolateral corner injuries with or without cruciate ligaments ruptures can lead to an unexplained instability [3]. The posterolateral corner elements prevent varus angulation, posterior shift, and excessive external rotation of the knee [5]. As regards lateral meniscus connections with the surrounding tissues, special attention has been paid to the meniscofemoral ligaments, the coronary ligament, and the popliteomeniscal ligaments-fascicles [6¨C8]. However, little data exists with regards to a relatively unknown and difficultly identified capsular thickening of the posterolateral corner, the so-called meniscofibular ligament (MFL) [9, 10]. MFL in animals very early in 1942 was included in HainesĄŻ original drawings, without any relative mention within the manuscript of his work [11]. However, Zivanovic later in 1964 prescribed comprehensively the
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ari/2012/214784/