Anatomical characterization of oblique popliteal ligament and its clinical significance on knee joint stability

Background: The oblique popliteal ligament (OPL) plays a crucial role in knee stability, yet its anatomical variations are not fully understood. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive morphometric and morphological analysis of the OPL in the South Indian population. Methods: Twenty cadaveric kn...

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Main Authors: Mamatha Hosapatna, Shreya Saha, Muralimanju B V, Soumyalatha Naveen, Rohini Punja
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Translational Research in Anatomy
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000196
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author Mamatha Hosapatna
Shreya Saha
Muralimanju B V
Soumyalatha Naveen
Rohini Punja
author_facet Mamatha Hosapatna
Shreya Saha
Muralimanju B V
Soumyalatha Naveen
Rohini Punja
author_sort Mamatha Hosapatna
collection DOAJ
description Background: The oblique popliteal ligament (OPL) plays a crucial role in knee stability, yet its anatomical variations are not fully understood. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive morphometric and morphological analysis of the OPL in the South Indian population. Methods: Twenty cadaveric knee specimens were dissected and examined. The length and width of the OPL were measured using digital calipers. Morphological characteristics, including shape and attachment patterns, were observed and classified. Results: The mean length of the OPL was 28.9 ± 3.7 mm, with a width of 17.5 ± 4.3 mm at the origin and 18.3 ± 4.4 mm at the midpoint. Three main types of OPL were identified: Type 1 (45 %) with an accessory upper band, Type 2 (30 %) with a broad medial attachment, and Type 4 (25 %) with a fan-like appearance. Five shape variations were observed: band shape (30 %), trident shape (25 %), complex shape (20 %), Z-shape (15 %), and Y-shape (10 %). Conclusion: This study reveals significant variability in OPL morphology and dimensions. These findings have important implications for understanding knee biomechanics, improving surgical techniques, and enhancing the interpretation of imaging studies of the posterior knee.
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spelling doaj-art-8f3b8e0c9415474395cffa3f6c3ddfad2025-08-20T03:12:31ZengElsevierTranslational Research in Anatomy2214-854X2025-06-013910040010.1016/j.tria.2025.100400Anatomical characterization of oblique popliteal ligament and its clinical significance on knee joint stabilityMamatha Hosapatna0Shreya Saha1Muralimanju B V2Soumyalatha Naveen3Rohini Punja4Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, IndiaUndergraduate Student, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, IndiaDepartment of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, IndiaDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology Bengaluru, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, IndiaDepartment of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India; Corresponding author. Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, 576104, India.Background: The oblique popliteal ligament (OPL) plays a crucial role in knee stability, yet its anatomical variations are not fully understood. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive morphometric and morphological analysis of the OPL in the South Indian population. Methods: Twenty cadaveric knee specimens were dissected and examined. The length and width of the OPL were measured using digital calipers. Morphological characteristics, including shape and attachment patterns, were observed and classified. Results: The mean length of the OPL was 28.9 ± 3.7 mm, with a width of 17.5 ± 4.3 mm at the origin and 18.3 ± 4.4 mm at the midpoint. Three main types of OPL were identified: Type 1 (45 %) with an accessory upper band, Type 2 (30 %) with a broad medial attachment, and Type 4 (25 %) with a fan-like appearance. Five shape variations were observed: band shape (30 %), trident shape (25 %), complex shape (20 %), Z-shape (15 %), and Y-shape (10 %). Conclusion: This study reveals significant variability in OPL morphology and dimensions. These findings have important implications for understanding knee biomechanics, improving surgical techniques, and enhancing the interpretation of imaging studies of the posterior knee.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000196Knee anatomyKnee joint capsuleLigament variationsKnee biomechanicsOrthopaedic imaging
spellingShingle Mamatha Hosapatna
Shreya Saha
Muralimanju B V
Soumyalatha Naveen
Rohini Punja
Anatomical characterization of oblique popliteal ligament and its clinical significance on knee joint stability
Translational Research in Anatomy
Knee anatomy
Knee joint capsule
Ligament variations
Knee biomechanics
Orthopaedic imaging
title Anatomical characterization of oblique popliteal ligament and its clinical significance on knee joint stability
title_full Anatomical characterization of oblique popliteal ligament and its clinical significance on knee joint stability
title_fullStr Anatomical characterization of oblique popliteal ligament and its clinical significance on knee joint stability
title_full_unstemmed Anatomical characterization of oblique popliteal ligament and its clinical significance on knee joint stability
title_short Anatomical characterization of oblique popliteal ligament and its clinical significance on knee joint stability
title_sort anatomical characterization of oblique popliteal ligament and its clinical significance on knee joint stability
topic Knee anatomy
Knee joint capsule
Ligament variations
Knee biomechanics
Orthopaedic imaging
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000196
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AT soumyalathanaveen anatomicalcharacterizationofobliquepoplitealligamentanditsclinicalsignificanceonkneejointstability
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