OBJECTIVES: To describe the lateral patellofemoral ligament (LPFL) after anatomical dissection of fresh cadaver knees. The literature shows a particular interest for the LPFL. Such special attention is due to its anatomical and biomechanical importance, and also due to the need to reconstruct the ligament in the cases of medial patellar instability. METHODS: The LPFL was studied in 20 knees of 20 fresh cadavers by means of anatomical dissections. The dissections were standardized and the data were noted down and forwarded to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The LPFL presented a mean 16.05 mm width (standard deviation of 2.48), 42.10 mm length (standard deviation of 8.84). The femoral insertion was found at the lateral femoral epicondyle and with a fan-like expansion of the fibers, predominantly in the posterior region proximal to the lateral epicondyle. In the patella, the insertion found was in the upper-lateral region (in the middle of the upper third of the coronal plan), also with expanded fibers, but less intensely so. In the sagittal plan, the ligament was located in the posterior half of the border of the patella. The LPFL was isolated in the second lateral retinacular layer, the deep transverse retinaculum. CONCLUSION: The LPFL is located in the deep transverse retinacular layer with the presence of a fan-like expansion of its fibers both in the femoral and in the patellar insertions. The insertion is more posterior and proximal at the femoral epicondyle and in the posterior half of the patellar border (sagittal plan) and in the upper-lateral aspect.
Patellar ligament; Patellar dislocation; Chondromalacia; Patellae Joint instability; Dissection
