Anatomical study on the anterolateral ligament of the knee

AbstractObjectiveDescribe the knee anterolateral ligament (ALL) and establish its anatomical marks of origin and insertion.MethodsDissection of the anterolateral aspect of the knee was performed in six cadavers. After isolation of the ALL, its lenght, width and thickness were measured as its places of origin and insertion. The ALL origin was documented in relation to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) origin and the insertion was documented in relation to the Gerdy tubercle, fibullar head and lateral meniscus. After the first two dissections, the ligament was removed and sent to histologycal analysis.ResultsThe ALL was clearly identified in all knees. Its origin in the lateral epycondile was on average 0.5mm distal and 2.5mm anterior to the LCL. In the tibia, two insertions were observed, one in the lateral meniscus and another in the proximal tibia, about 4.5mm distal to the articular cartilage, between the Gerdy tubercle and the fibullar head. The average measures obtained were: 35.1mm lenght, 6.8mm width and 2.6mm thickness. In the ligament histological analysis, dense connective tissue was observed.ConclusionThe ALL is a constant structure in the knee anterolateral region. Its origin is anterior and distal to the LCL origin. In the tibia, it has two insertions, one in the lateral meniscus and another in the proximal tibia between the Gerdy tubercle and the fibullar head