Posterolateral ligamentous complex
Last revised by Joachim Feger on 7 May 2021
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Gaillard F, Feger J, Knipe H, et al. Posterolateral ligamentous complex. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 10 Dec 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-7988
Permalink:
rID:
7988
Article created:
25 Dec 2009, Frank Gaillard ◈
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosuresLast revised:
7 May 2021, Joachim Feger ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Joachim Feger had no recorded disclosures.
View Joachim Feger's current disclosuresRevisions:
9 times, by 6 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Posterolateral ligamentous complex of the knee
- Arcuate ligamentous complex of the knee
- Posterolateral corner structures of the knee
The posterolateral ligamentous complex (also known as the arcuate ligamentous complex) of the knee is an important stabilizer and consists of a number of structures. Depending on the publication/definition more or less of the following structures are included 1-4:
- lateral (fibular) collateral ligament
- arcuate ligament
- popliteofibular ligament
- posterior third of the lateral capsule
- fabellofibular ligament (when a fabella is present)
- popliteus musculotendinous complex (not always included)
- biceps femoris tendon (not always included)
- popliteomeniscal fascicles (not always included)
- lateral gastrocnemius muscle (not always included)
Functional classification
Some authors group the structure comprising this ligamentous complex into the following functional groups:
- static stabilizers (i.e. posterolateral knee joint capsule)
- dynamic stabilizers
- popliteus musculotendinous complex
- biceps femoris tendon
- lateral gastrocnemius muscle (not always included)
- other structures
- popliteomeniscal fascicles
- posterior horn lateral meniscus
- lateral coronary ligament
- iliotibial band
Radiographic features
MRI
Components of the posterolateral corner that with some variability can be identified on MRI are:
- biceps femoris tendon
- fibular collateral ligament
- popliteus tendon
- popliteus musculotendinous complex including:
- popliteofibular ligament
- fabellofibular ligament
- arcuate ligament
References
- 1. Juhng Seon-Kwan, Joong K. Lee, See-Sung Choi et al. “MR Evaluation of the "Arcuate" Sign of Posterolateral Knee Instability.” Am. J. Roentgenol. 178, no. 3 (March 1, 2002): 583-588. [Link].
- 2. Huang GS, Yu JS, Munshi M et-al. Avulsion fracture of the head of the fibula (the "arcuate" sign): MR imaging findings predictive of injuries to the posterolateral ligaments and posterior cruciate ligament. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003;180 (2): 381-7. AJR Am J Roentgenol (full text) [pubmed citation]
- 3. Gottsegen, Christopher J.; Eyer, Benjamin A.; White, Eric A.; Learch, Thomas J.; Forrester, Deborah. Avulsion Fractures of the Knee: Imaging Findings and Clinical Significance1 Radiographics. 28 (6): 1755. doi:10.1148/rg.286085503
- 4. Pietrini SD, LaPrade RF, Griffith CJ et-al. Radiographic identification of the primary posterolateral knee structures. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37 (3): 542-51. doi:10.1177/0363546508328117 [pubmed citation]
- 5. Vinson EN, Major NM, Helms CA. The posterolateral corner of the knee. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2008;190 (2): 449-58. doi:10.2214/AJR.07.2051 - Pubmed citation
Incoming Links
Articles:
- Meniscofibular ligament
- Arcuate ligament
- Knee joint
- Snapping biceps femoris tendon
- Popliteus bursa
- Fabellofibular ligament
- Popliteus injury
- Posterolateral corner injury of the knee
- Knee radiograph (an approach)
- Arcuate sign (knee)
- Popliteofibular ligament
- Inferior lateral genicular artery
- Popliteus tendon
Related articles: Anatomy: Lower limb
- skeleton of the lower limb
- joints of the lower limb
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hip joint
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- muscles
- additional structures
- hip joint capsule
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posterolateral ligamentous complex
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