Biomaterial Database

Anatomy and biomechanics of the medial patellofemoral ligament. 2003

A A Amis, and P Firer, and J Mountney, and W Senavongse, and N P Thomas

Mechanical Engineering Department, Biomechanics Section, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2BX, UK. a.amis@ic.ac.uk

The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is a band of retinacular tissue connecting the femoral medial epicondyle to the medial edge of the patella. The MPFL is approximately 55 mm long, and its width has been reported to range from 3 to 30 mm. The MPFL is overlaid by the distal part of vastus medialis obliquus to a variable extent, and fibres of MPFL merge into the deep aspect of the muscle. Despite the MPFL being very thin, it had a mean tensile strength of 208 N, and has been reported to be the primary passive restraint to patellar lateral displacement. Lateral patellar displacement tests in vitro showed that the patella subluxed most easily at 20 degrees knee flexion. The contribution of the MPFL to resisting patellar lateral subluxation was greatest in the extended knee. This finding was linked to the retinaculae being tightest in full knee extension, and slackening with flexion.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007719	Knee Joint	A synovial hinge connection formed between the bones of the FEMUR; TIBIA; and PATELLA.	Superior Tibiofibular Joint,Joint, Knee,Joint, Superior Tibiofibular,Knee Joints,Superior Tibiofibular Joints,Tibiofibular Joint, Superior
D012016	Reference Values	The range or frequency distribution of a measurement in a population (of organisms, organs or things) that has not been selected for the presence of disease or abnormality.	Normal Range,Normal Values,Reference Ranges,Normal Ranges,Normal Value,Range, Normal,Range, Reference,Ranges, Normal,Ranges, Reference,Reference Range,Reference Value,Value, Normal,Value, Reference,Values, Normal,Values, Reference
D005269	Femur	The longest and largest bone of the skeleton, it is situated between the hip and the knee.	Trochanter,Greater Trochanter,Lesser Trochanter,Femurs,Greater Trochanters,Lesser Trochanters,Trochanter, Greater,Trochanter, Lesser,Trochanters,Trochanters, Greater,Trochanters, Lesser
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001696	Biomechanical Phenomena	The properties, processes, and behavior of biological systems under the action of mechanical forces.	Biomechanics,Kinematics,Biomechanic Phenomena,Mechanobiological Phenomena,Biomechanic,Biomechanic Phenomenas,Phenomena, Biomechanic,Phenomena, Biomechanical,Phenomena, Mechanobiological,Phenomenas, Biomechanic
D016059	Range of Motion, Articular	The distance and direction to which a bone joint can be extended. Range of motion is a function of the condition of the joints, muscles, and connective tissues involved. Joint flexibility can be improved through appropriate MUSCLE STRETCHING EXERCISES.	Passive Range of Motion,Joint Flexibility,Joint Range of Motion,Range of Motion,Flexibility, Joint
D017847	Patellar Ligament	A band of fibrous tissue that attaches the apex of the PATELLA to the lower part of the tubercle of the TIBIA. The ligament is actually the caudal continuation of the common tendon of the QUADRICEPS FEMORIS. The patella is embedded in that tendon. As such, the patellar ligament can be thought of as connecting the quadriceps femoris tendon to the tibia, and therefore it is sometimes called the patellar tendon.	Ligamentum Patellae,Patellar Tendon,Patella Tendon,Ligament, Patellar,Ligaments, Patellar,Patella Tendons,Patellar Ligaments,Patellar Tendons,Tendon, Patella,Tendon, Patellar,Tendons, Patella,Tendons, Patellar
D017888	Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee	The ligament that travels from the medial epicondyle of the FEMUR to the medial margin and medial surface of the TIBIA. The medial meniscus is attached to its deep surface.	Collateral Ligament, Medial, Knee,Knee Medial Collateral Ligament,Ligamentum Collaterale Tibiale,Medial Ligament of Knee,Tibial Collateral Ligament,Collateral Ligament, Tibial,Collateral Ligaments, Tibial,Collaterale Tibiale, Ligamentum,Collaterale Tibiales, Ligamentum,Knee Medial Ligament,Knee Medial Ligaments,Ligament, Tibial Collateral,Ligaments, Tibial Collateral,Ligamentum Collaterale Tibiales,Tibial Collateral Ligaments,Tibiale, Ligamentum Collaterale,Tibiales, Ligamentum Collaterale