Distal Fascicle of The Anterior Tibiofibular Ligament: Presence, Biometric Characteristics and Relation with the Talar Trochlea

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Cabezas, J. J. & Olave, E.

Summary

The anterior tibiofibular ligament usually presents an independent distal fascicle of the main band, denominated distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament (DF-ATiFL). Which obliquely passes, covering its most inferior fiber to the anterolateral corner of the talocrural articulation. Its presence is associated with the anterolateral impingement of the ankle in this area, which can produce cartilage wear of the anterolateral surface of the talar trochlea. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence and biometry of DF-ATiFL and its relation with the talar trochlea on the ankles of a group of Chilean individuals. Thirty inferior members were used in this study, all from adult individuals. It was evaluated: Width of the tibial insertion, width of the fibular insertion, length of the top margin, length of the bottom margin, and the thickness. It was determined whether there was talar contact by the distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament. Also, it was observed the articular wear on the surface of the talar dome, at the level of the contact region of the distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament. The DF- ATiFL was found in 76.7 % of the cases, its width at the level of the place of tibial fixation was 5.30 mm (± 1.40), and at the fibular level 4.43 mm (± 0.85). Regarding its length on the top margin was 14.26 mm (± 3.66), and at the bottom, the margin level was 16.74 mm (± 2.91). Its thickness was 2.1 mm (± 0.36). In the 23 ankles samples with the presence of DF-ATiFL, there was talar contact in 100 % of the cases and articular wear in this area in 3 of them (13.04 %). The biometric data contributed by this study will supplement the anatomical knowledge of the distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament on the Chilean population.

KEY WORDS: Anatomy; Ankle; Bassett's ligament; Anterior tibiofibular ligament; Distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament.

How to cite this article

CABEZAS, J. J. & OLAVE, E. Distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament: Presence, biometric characteristics and relation with the talar trochlea. Int. J. Morphol., 38(2):472-476, 2020.