The Anterolateral Ligament of the Human Knee: an Anatomic and Histologic Study

Overview

Journal Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc

Publisher Wiley

Specialties Emergency Medicine
General Surgery
Orthopedics

Date 2011 Jul 1

PMID 21717216

Citations 156

Authors

Jean-Philippe Vincent

Robert A Magnussen

Ferittu Gezmez

Arnaud Uguen

Matthias Jacobi

Florent Weppe

Maad F Al-Saati

Sebastien Lustig

Guillaume Demey

Elvire Servien

Philippe Neyret

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: The functional anatomy of the knee is frequently studied but remains incompletely understood. Numerous authors have described a structure in the lateral knee connecting the lateral femoral condyle with the lateral meniscus and tibial plateau. The goal of this study is to define the incidence, anatomy, and histology of this structure, the anterolateral ligament.

Methods: The incidence of the ligament was determined in 30 consecutive patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for medial compartment osteoarthritis. The anatomy and histology were evaluated using 10 cadaveric knees.

Results: The anterolateral ligament was noted to be present in all 40 knees. In all cases, it was noted to take origin near or on the popliteus tendon insertion and insert into the lateral meniscus and tibial plateau 5 mm distal to the articular surface and posterior to Gerdy's Tubercle. The average width of the relatively flat structure was 8.2 ± 1.5 mm, and the average length was 34.1 ± 3.4 mm. Histologic analysis revealed a discreet structure with a fibrous core surrounded by synovium. Fibers blended with the popliteus at its origin and with the lateral meniscus as it passed distally.

Conclusions: The anterolateral ligament may play a role in preventing anterior tibial translation. The role, if any, of this structure in meniscal stability and the pathology of meniscal tears remain unclear.

Level Of Evidence: Not applicable-Descriptive Anatomic Study.

Citing Articles

The Top 100 Most Cited Articles on Anterolateral Ligament: A Bibliometric Analysis and Review.

Helito C, Araujo V, Canuto S, Jorge P, Padua V, Ariel de Lima D Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo). 2025; 60(1):1-14.

PMID: 40041747 PMC: 11879490. DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1800939.

Influence of Extra-Articular Augmentation on Clinical Outcomes and Survival in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Pseudorandomized Study.

Maestro A, Rodriguez N, Pipa I, Toyos C, Lanuza L, Machado F Medicina (Kaunas). 2025; 61(1).

PMID: 39859098 PMC: 11766875. DOI: 10.3390/medicina61010116.

The single antegrade sling graft: a novel hamstring autograft technique for combined anterior cruciate ligament and anterolateral ligament reconstruction.

Rabie A, Arafa M, Bahloul M, Abdelbadie A Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2025; 145(1):126.

PMID: 39812812 PMC: 11735515. DOI: 10.1007/s00402-024-05697-5.

Morphological Description of the Embryonic to Fetal Development of the Menisco- Tibio-Popliteus-Fibular Complex and the Anterolateral Ligament.

Morales-Avalos R, Lopez-Serna N, Erosa-Villarreal R, Padilla-Medina J, Cortes-Alvarez C, Torres-Gonzalez V Orthop J Sports Med. 2024; 12(12):23259671241302770.

PMID: 39697604 PMC: 11653441. DOI: 10.1177/23259671241302770.

Combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction Using the Superficial Layer Quadriceps Tendon Graft: Surgical Technique Description.

Barroso B, Canuto S, Helito C, Rego M, Martins F, Rego M Arthrosc Tech. 2024; 13(10):103067.

PMID: 39479041 PMC: 11519883. DOI: 10.1016/j.eats.2024.103067.

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