408 



THE INFERIOR EXTREMITY 



Fibular collateral 

 ligament 

 Popliteus 



Lateral meniscus 



An additional slip is sometimes described as the posterior part of the 

 fibular collateral ligament. When present it ends above in the capsule, 

 under cover of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius. Below, it is im- 

 planted into the apex of the head of the fibula. 



Ligamentum Collaterale Tibiale (O.T. Internal Lateral Liga- 

 ment). The tibial collateral ligament is a long, flat band, 

 broader in the middle than at either extremity. It springs 

 from the medial epicondyle of the femur, distal to the adductor 

 tubercle. As it descends it inclines slightly forwards, and, 



finally, it gains attachment to 

 the margin of the medial 

 condyle and to the proximal 

 fourth of the body of the tibia 

 below the medial condyle. 

 At the level of the interval 

 between the femur and the 

 tibia its deep surface is fused 

 with and takes part in the 

 formation of the fibrous stratum 

 of the articular capsule. The 

 main part of the tendon of the 

 semimembranosus extends 

 forwards, under cover of its 

 posterior border, to gain an in- 

 sertion into the medial condyle 



of the tibia, whilst, more distally, the inferior medial genicular 

 vessels are carried forwards between it and the tibia. The 

 tendons of the sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus lie 

 upon the lower part of its superficial surface, but are separated 

 from it by an intervening bursa. 



The Posterior Part of the Capsule and the Ligamentum 

 PopliteumObliquum(O.T. Posterior Ligament). The posterior 

 part of the capsule extends as a continuous sheet across the 

 posterior aspect of the joint ; laterally it is continuous with 

 the lateral part of the capsule, which lies medial to the fibular 

 collateral ligament, and medially it fuses with the deep 

 surface of the tibial collateral ligament as the latter crosses 

 the line of the joint. The lateral head of the gastrocnemius 

 fuses with the proximal part of its lateral portion, and the 

 tendon of the popliteus passes through the distal part of the 

 same portion. The medial part of the posterior portion of the 

 capsule is separated from the medial head of the gastrocnemius 



Biceps 

 femoris 



FIG. 179. The Fibular Collateral 

 Ligament of the Knee Joint. 



