The variant anatomy of the lateral ligamentous-tendons complex of the knee joint

The results of modern anatomical and surgical studies indicate the most important role in maintaining the lateral and rotational stability of the knee joint of a number of anatomical structures that are part of the structure of its lateral region - the tendon of popliteal muscle, fibular collateral ligament, as well as the anterolateral ligament of the joint capsule. The aim of the investigation was to study the variant anatomy of the fibular collateral ligament, the tendon of popliteal muscle, the popliteal fibular ligament and the anterolateral ligament of the knee, and to determine the places of their attachment. The study was carried out on 54 anatomical preparations of the lower extremities. The anatomical features of the fibular collateral ligament, the tendon of popliteal muscle, the popliteal fibular ligament and the anterolateral ligament of the knee were studied by precision anatomical dissections and morphometry. The length of the fibular collateral ligament ranged from 51 to 69 mm and averaged 62,4±3,6 mm. In all cases, the place of its attachment to the lateral condyle of the femur had an oval shape with rather clearly defined boundaries. The anterolateral ligament of the knee is found in 20,4%. In all observations, it was located in the thickness of the knee joint capsule. Its length varied from 31 to 41 mm, with an average of 37,4±4,5 mm. The center of the attachment site of the popliteal muscle was located at a distance of 19,1±5,66 mm from the lower surface of the lateral condyle of the femur and 36,2±4,95 mm from its posterior surface, and on all studied anatomical preparations it was localized on average by 14,2±3,1 mm anteriorly and downwardly from the attachment site of the fibular collateral ligament, which makes it possible to perform their simultaneous anatomical reconstruction. The new information obtained about the variant anatomy, attachment points and morphometric characteristics of the studied formations made it possible to formulate a new concept -the lateral ligamentous-tendon complex of the knee joint. The expediency of combining the studied anatomical structures into a functionally single ligamentous-tendon complex has been substantiated. Variants of the anatomical structure of its components are demonstrated.