The Anatomy of the Medial Part of the Knee

TLDR

Qualitative anatomy of the medial knee has been described, but quantitative attachment site data are lacking. The study aimed to confirm qualitative medial knee anatomy and quantitatively evaluate attachment sites and their relationships to key osseous landmarks. Eight fresh‑frozen cadaveric knees were dissected and measured with an electromagnetic 3‑D tracking system to locate attachment sites relative to the medial epicondyle, adductor tubercle, and gastrocnemius tubercle. Quantitative measurements revealed that the superficial medial collateral ligament averages 94.8 mm in length, has distinct tibial attachments 61.2 mm distal to the joint, and femoral attachments 3.2 mm proximal and 4.8 mm posterior to the medial epicondyle; the deep medial collateral ligament comprises meniscofemoral and meniscotibial portions, while the posterior oblique ligament and medial patellofemoral ligament attach at specific distances from the adductor tubercle and gastrocnemius tubercle, confirming a consistent attachment pattern.

Abstract

While the anatomy of the medial part of the knee has been described qualitatively, quantitative descriptions of the attachment sites of the main medial knee structures have not been reported. The purpose of the present study was to verify the qualitative anatomy of medial knee structures and to perform a quantitative evaluation of their anatomic attachment sites as well as their relationships to pertinent osseous landmarks.Dissections were performed and measurements were made for eight nonpaired fresh-frozen cadaveric knees with use of an electromagnetic three-dimensional tracking sensor system.In addition to the medial epicondyle and the adductor tubercle, a third osseous prominence, the gastrocnemius tubercle, which corresponded to the attachment site of the medial gastrocnemius tendon, was identified. The average length of the superficial medial (tibial) collateral ligament was 94.8 mm. The superficial medial collateral ligament femoral attachment was 3.2 mm proximal and 4.8 mm posterior to the medial epicondyle. The superficial medial collateral ligament had two separate attachments on the tibia. The distal attachment of the superficial medial collateral ligament on the tibia was 61.2 mm distal to the knee joint. The deep medial collateral ligament consisted of meniscofemoral and meniscotibial portions. The posterior oblique ligament femoral attachment was 7.7 mm distal and 6.4 mm posterior to the adductor tubercle and 1.4 mm distal and 2.9 mm anterior to the gastrocnemius tubercle. The medial patellofemoral ligament attachment on the femur was 1.9 mm anterior and 3.8 mm distal to the adductor tubercle.The medial knee ligament structures have a consistent attachment pattern.