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The anterolateral ligament: A cadaveric study in fetuses.
Ainhoa Nekane Toro-Ibarguen1, Juan Pretell-Mazzini2, Elena Pérez3
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology Surgery, Fundación Jimenez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.)
|April 14, 2017
Summary
The anterolateral ligament (ALL) is consistently present in fetuses, indicating it forms before birth and is not due to repetitive stress. Its femoral attachment shows three distinct patterns in developing knees.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Embryology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- The anterolateral ligament (ALL) is a key knee structure.
- Its developmental origins and prenatal presence are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence and morphology of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) in fetal knee specimens.
- To investigate the developmental timing and anatomical variations of the ALL.
Main Methods:
- Dissection of 40 fresh-frozen fetal cadaver knees.
- Identification and quantitative characterization of the ALL's femoral and tibial attachments, course, and relationships.
Main Results:
- The ALL was identified in 100% of fetal knees examined.
- Three distinct patterns of femoral attachment relative to the fibular collateral ligament were observed.
- The ALL demonstrated consistent extracapsular location, oblique course, and tibial attachment.
Conclusions:
- The anterolateral ligament (ALL) is a constant anatomical structure present from the later prenatal period.
- ALL morphology exhibits variations in femoral attachment and a consistent meniscal and tibial attachment.
- These findings suggest the ALL's development is intrinsic and not solely influenced by postnatal mechanical stresses.
