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Fabellofibular (and Arcuate Ligament Complex)



- See: Arcuate Complex

- Anatomy:
    - arcuate & fabellogibular ligaments insert on apex of fibular styloid process & ascends vertically to lateral head of gastrocnemius,
          where they merge w/ by posterior termination of oblique popliteal ligament;
    - arcuate ligament is firmly adherent to underlying musculotendinous junction of the popliteus muscle;
    - fabellofibular ligament alone reinforces capsule in 20% of pts;
    - both arcuate ligament and the fabellofibular ligament reinforce the posterolateral aspect of the capsule in 2/3;
    - when fabella is large, fabellofibular ligament is large, but arcuate ligament is not present;
    - fabellofibular ligament is found deep between biceps tendon & lateral head of gastrocnemius;
           - may be as large as LCL;
    - when fabella (or cartilaginous fabell), arcuate ligament is present, but fabellofibular ligament is absent;
    - when cartiaginous fabella is present, both fabellofibular arcuate ligament are present, but they it will be smaller



Limits of movement in the human knee. Effect of sectioning the posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral structures.

Knee dysfunction secondary to dislocation of the fabella.

The incidence of fabellae in osteoarthrosis of the knee.