title: The anterolateral ligament of the knee: A dissection study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies have described the presence of the anterolateral ligament (ALL). However, there is still no consensus regarding the anatomy of this structure with the topic controversially discussed. The aim of this study was to provide an anatomical description of the ligamentous structures on the anterolateral side of the knee with special emphasis on the ALL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four human cadaveric knees were dissected to reveal the ALL and other significant structures in the anterolateral compartment of the knee joint. The ALL was defined as a firm structure running in an oblique direction from the lateral femoral epicondyle to a bony insertion at the anterolateral tibia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ALL was identified in 45.5% (n=20) of the dissected knee joints. The structure originates together with the fibular collateral ligament (45%) or just posterior and proximal to it (55%). The ligament has an extra-capsular, anteroinferior, oblique course to the anterolateral tibia with a bony insertion between Gerdy's tubercle and the fibular head. The ALL had its greatest extend at 60° of knee flexion and maximal internal rotation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ALL is a firm ligamentous structure in the anterolateral part of the knee present in 45.5% of the cases. Given the course and characteristics of this structure, a function in providing rotational stability by preventing internal rotation of the knee is likely.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ALL might be an important stabilizer in the knee and may play a significant role in preventing excessive internal tibial rotation and subluxation of the knee joint.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria; Gelenkpunkt, Zentrum für Sport-und Gelenkchirurgie, Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: Armin.runer@rolmail.net.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Runer
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: Stephan.birkmaier@student.i-med.ac.at.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Birkmaier
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: Mathias.pamminger@student.i-med.ac.at.
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pamminger
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: Simon.reider@student.i-med.ac.at.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reider
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria; Department for Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Elmar.herbst@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Herbst
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: Karl-Heinz.Kuenzel@i-med.ac.at.
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Künzel
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: Erich.brenner@i-med.ac.at.
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.affiliation: Gelenkpunkt, Zentrum für Sport-und Gelenkchirurgie, Innsbruck, Austria; ISAG - Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism/UMIT, Hall in Tirol, Austria. Electronic address: c.fink@gelenkpunkt.com.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fink
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
keywords: ACL reconstruction; ALL; Anterolateral ligament; Extra-articular tenodesis; Knee instability; Pivot shift; Rotational stability