(Fig 3-B.20) Arcuate Ligament Anatomy

https://youtu.be/jLnEc_qm47M

https://youtu.be/6WOItzqJj1g

 

📌 Anatomy of the Arcuate Ligament

• Y-shaped thickening of the posterolateral capsule
• Runs to apex of fibular styloid process
• Lateral limb attaches to lateral femoral condyle and posterolateral joint capsule
• Medial limb attaches to posterior knee capsule and oblique popliteal ligament

 

✅ Variability and Visualization

• Variably present structure
• Difficult to visualize directly on MRI even when present

 

✅ Key Point 1: No Need to Decipher Exact Anatomy

• Injury can be inferred from increased pericapsular signal around posterolateral capsule
• Torn medial limb seen posterior to popliteus tendon
• Integrity inferred from intact posterolateral joint line capsule

 

✅ Key Point 2: Sagittal Anatomy to Remember

• Popliteus tendon lies deepest, easy to identify
• Lateral inferior genicular vessel also easily seen
• Medial limb between popliteus and genicular vessel
• Fabellofibular ligament superficial to genicular vessel, connects to fabella
• If fabellofibular ligament prominent, lateral limb may be small/absent

 

RadioGraphics 2016; 36:1776–1791

RadioGraphics 2014; 34:496–513

Stoller's Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine: The Knee

 

"Visualizing MSK Radiology: A Practical Guide to Radiology Mastery"

© 2022 MSK MRI Jee Eun Lee All Rights Reserved.

No unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, or use for AI training.

#ArcuateLigamentAnatomy, #PosterolateralKneeCapsule, #YShapedLigament, #LateralLimb, #MedialLimb, #PopliteusTendon, #LateralInferiorGeniculaVessel, #FabellofibularLigament,

#Knee, #MRI, #Anatomy, #Ligaments, #PosterolateralCorner, #ArcuateLigament, #PopliteusTendon, #GeniculaVessels, #FabellofibularLigament, #CapsuleIntegrity