title: Can Bassett's ligament be removed?
abstract: To investigate the functional characteristics of Bassett's ligament in the ankle, focusing on mechanoreceptors and potential problems following resection of Bassett's ligament.
  
  
  
  Bassett's ligament, the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), and synovium were obtained from 20 ankles of 10 fresh-frozen cadavers. Histologically, mechanoreceptors were identified and classified as Ruffini (type I), Vater-Pacini (type II), Golgi-Mazzoni (type III) corpuscles, and free nerve endings (type IV). Differences in receptor densities were compared.
  
  
  
  Type I clusters were observed with three to six ramifications; type II mechanoreceptors were encapsulated in clusters of two to four with ovoid or cylindrical shape; type III were amorphous, long and wide, and fusiform- or spindle-shaped; and type IV were long and fine without a defined shape. Differences in the densities of the mechanoreceptors inside three soft tissues (Bassett's ligament, ATFL, and synovium) were not significant.
  
  
  
  There were no significant differences in the densities of the four types of mechanoreceptors among the soft tissues studied. In Bassett's ligament, type I mechanoreceptors were present at significantly higher densities than the other receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, 53, Jinhawngdo-ro 61 gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, 134-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eui Dong
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine University, 73 Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Im Joo
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Rhyu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Department of Sports Medicine, Guro Hospital, College of Medicine, Korea Univeristy, 80 Gurodong, Gurogu, Seoul, 152-703, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hak Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine University, 73 Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Da Som
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bucheon Hospital, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, 170, Jomaru-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 420-767, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Joong-Hyeon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bucheon Hospital, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, 170, Jomaru-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 420-767, Republic of Korea. brain0808@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Young Koo
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D002452:Cell Count; D006801:Humans; D017844:Lateral Ligament, Ankle / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000473:pathology*; D000074402:Synovectomy; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Accessory fascicle; Ankle; Anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament; Mechanoreceptors