Anterior meniscofemoral ligament

The ligament meniscofemorale ( meniscus - femoral band ) is a band structure that extends from the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the inside femoral condyle. While also bands from the anterior horn of the meniscus and those described from the medial meniscus, but their incidence seems to be significantly lower.

Man

The most common meniscofemoral bands ( ligaments meniscofemoralia ) in humans are

• The posterior ligament meniscofemorale (also Wrisberg ligament ) behind the posterior cruciate ligament and
• The anterior ligament meniscofemorale (also Humphry ligament ) extending in front of the posterior cruciate ligament.

Ligament Wrisberg is at frequency 70% more abundant than the ligament Humphrey with a frequency of approximately 50%. The belts are frequently detectable than in older, indicating the possibility of a degeneration in younger people.

With the same origin at the medial femoral condyle after her approach three types of Wrisberg ligament can be distinguished:

• Type 1: Conventional approach to the lateral meniscus posterior horn
• Type 2: Fan -like approach from the meniscus to further medially on the tibia
• Type 3: No approach at the meniscus, but only at the tibia ( seen by other authors as a proportion of the posterior cruciate ligament )

History

The first description of meniscofemoral bands is attributed to Josiah Weitbrecht 1742. A detailed description of the Wrisberg ligament is found in Robert 1855. Though Heinrich August Wrisberg is now meniscofemorale as a name for the posterior ligament accepted, was probably never reported by him in detail. The term " third cruciate ligament " was used again for the two meniscofemoral bands, but has not gained acceptance in everyday life.

Function and clinical significance

The biomechanical function of the meniscofemoral bands is seen today in the first place is to limit the displacement of the tibia in the dorsal direction. Here, the ligamentum Humphry the Ligamtentum Wrisberg biases in flexion, in extension of the knee joint. They thus act synergistically with the posterior cruciate ligament and obtain for any breach thereof, a special importance for the stability of the knee joint.

On MRI, the course of the ligaments meniscofemoralia must be considered in order to avoid confusion with a displaced portion of the lateral meniscus of the same at a crack.