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. 2012 Jan 23:3:1-5.
doi: 10.2147/OAJSM.S28705. eCollection 2012.

A three-dimensional anatomy of the posterolateral compartment of the knee: the use of a new technology in the study of musculoskeletal anatomy

Diego Costa Astur  1 , Gustavo Gonçalves Arliani, Camila Cohen Kaleka, Wahy Jalikjian, Pau Golano, Moises Cohen
Affiliations

A three-dimensional anatomy of the posterolateral compartment of the knee: the use of a new technology in the study of musculoskeletal anatomy

Diego Costa Astur et al. Open Access J Sports Med. .

Abstract

Background: Recently, an interest has developed in understanding the anatomy of the posterior and posterolateral knee. The posterolateral compartment of the knee corresponds to a complex arrangement of ligaments and myotendinous structures. Undiagnosed lesions in this compartment are the main reason for failure of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Understanding the anatomy of these structures is essential to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of these lesions. The aim of this study was to better understand the relationship between these structures of the knee using three-dimensional technology.

Methods: Ten knees were included from cadaver lower limbs of adult patients. The skin and subcutaneous tissue were removed leaving only the muscle groups and ligaments. The neurovascular bundles and their ramifications were preserved. Images were acquired from the dissections using a Nikon D40 camera with AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm (1:3.5 5.6 GII ED) and Micro Nikkor 105 mm (1:2.8) lenses. The pair of images were processed using Callipyan 3D and AnaBuilder software, which transforms the two images into one anaglyphic image.

Results: During the dissection of the knees, twelve pictures were acquired and transformed into anaglyphic images.

Conclusion: The use of three-dimensional images in this study demonstrates that this technique is useful to improve the knowledge in anatomy of the knee as well as for knee reconstruction surgery.

Keywords: anatomy education; education; eyeglasses; humans; knee joint anatomy and histology; medical methods; photography methods.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flexed knee: iliotibial band (1), biceps femoris (2), fibular nerve (3), lateral gastrocnemius tendon (4), and sural nerve and ramifications (5).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Posterior view of the knee: lateral collateral ligament (1), popliteus tendon (2), popliteofibular ligament (3), and lateral meniscus (4).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Lateral view of the posterolateral compartment of the extended knee: lateral meniscus (1), lateral collateral ligament (2), popliteus tendon (3), and popliteofibular ligament (4).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Lateral view of the posterolateral compartment of the flexed knee: lateral collateral ligament (1), popliteus tendon (2), popliteofibular ligament (3), and lateral meniscus (4).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Posterior view of the knee: popliteal artery (1) and ramifications: medial superior genicular artery (2), medial inferior genicular artery (3), lateral superior genicular artery (4), middle genicular artery (5), and lateral inferior genicular artery (6).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Lateral view of the knee: popliteal artery (1), popliteofibular ligament (2), lateral meniscus (3), lateral inferior genicular artery (4), and lateral superior genicular artery (5).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Posterior view of the knee: lateral inferior genicular artery and the posterolateral compartment structures: popliteal artery (1), lateral superior genicular artery (2), medial superior genicular artery (3), posterior septum of the knee (4), lateral inferior genicular artery (5), collateral lateral ligament (6), popliteofibular ligament (7), popliteal muscle (8), and medial inferior genicular artery (9).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Oblique view of the posterolateral compartment of the knee: the pathway of the lateral inferior genicular artery (5) and the relationship with other structures: lateral superior genicular artery (1), popliteus tendon (2), lateral collateral ligament (3), lateral meniscus (4), and fibular nerve (6).
Figure 9
Figure 9
Lateral view of the posterolateral compartment of the knee: the pathway of the lateral inferior genicular artery and the relationship with other structures of the posterolateral compartment: popliteofibular ligament (3), lateral collateral ligament (4), and popliteus tendon (5). Popliteal artery (1) and inferior medial genicular artery (2).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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