Structure
The medial patellofemoral ligament is a thin fascial band. It arises from the superomedial border of the patella and inserts into the adductor tubercle on the medial epicondyle of the femur. The deep fibers of the medial patellofemoral ligament merge with the tibial collateral ligament and attach to the medial epicondyle of the femur (Amis et al., 2003).
Related parts of the anatomy
Function
The medial patellofemoral ligament has been reported to prevent lateral displacement of the patella (Amis et al., 2003). The contribution of the ligament to resist lateral subluxation of the patella is greatest in the extended knee. This ligament is sometimes cut to prevent medial displacement of the patella following damage to the lateral patellofemoral ligament.
List of Clinical Correlates
—Lateral subluxation of patella
References
Amis, A. A., Firer, P., Mountney, J., Senavongse, W. and Thomas, N. P. (2003) 'Anatomy and biomechanics of the medial patellofemoral ligament', Knee, 10(3), pp. 215-20.
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Joint Ligament
Entheseal structures are widely located throughout the body and are represented by the interface between bone and several tissues including tendon, joint capsules and ligaments.