Introduction:
Complex arrangement of osseous, myotendinous and ligamentous structures of Lateral collateral ligament, Biceps femoris tendon, Popleteus, Popleteomeniscal fascicles, Popleteofibular ligament, Oblique popleteal ligament (Winslow's ligament), Arcuate ligament, Fabellofibular ligament, Lateral head of gastrocnemius.
Frequently associated with cruciate ligament injuries
Three layer approach to lateral aspect of knee:
Superficial layer: Iliotibial tract anteriorly, Biceps tendon posteriorly
Middle layer: incomplete, lateral patellar retinaculum anteriorly, two patellofemoral
(proximal and distal) ligaments posteriorly
Deep layer: lateral part of joint capsule
Lateral (Fibular) collateral ligament:
From proximal to the posterior aspect of the lateral femoral condyle to lateral basal aspect of the fibular head as a conjoint tendon with biceps
Between them there is J shaped bursa, which is infrequently identified on MR
Approximately 7 cm in length
Biceps tendon:
Long head and direct arm of short head insert as conjoint tendon with lateral collateral ligament on the lateral basal aspect of the fibular head
Anterior arm of short head inserts as conjoint tendon with lateral capsular ligament on the superolateral aspect of the tibia
Popleteus tendon:
From posteromedial tibia - courses superolaterally - pierces meninscocapsular junction of posterior third of lateral meniscus (popleteal hiatus) - inserts into small sulcus on lateral aspect of lateral femoral condyle
Popliteofibular ligament:
From lateral aspect of popliteus to medial aspect of styloid process of fibula
Best seen on coronal oblique images in plane of popliteus
May be fibular origin of popliteus
Stabilizes external rotation
Arcuate ligament:
Y shaped capsular thickening with medial and lateral limbs
Medial limb from fibular styloid process, lateral to popliteofibular ligament - crosses medially over popliteus - blends with posterior knee capsule after recieving oblique popliteal ligament fibres
Lateral limb from just beneath fabellofibular ligament - blends with posterior knee capsule
Best seen on axial and coronal oblique planes
Fabellofibular ligament:
From fabela to lateral fibular styloid process
Mid third lateral capsular ligament:
Thickening of lateral joint capsule
From attachment of lateral gastrocnemius attachment to femur and anterior to popliteus tendon attachment on femur to posterior to Gerdy's tubercle on tibia
Divided into meniscofemoral and meniscotibial components
Lateral head of gastrocnemius:
From supraconylar femoral tubercle to posterolateral aspect of fibular styloid process
Fabella may be present within it
Link:
Posterolateral corner injuries of the knee
