The distal semimembranosus complex: normal MR anatomy, variants, biomechanics and pathology

To describe the normal MR anatomy and variations of the distal semimembranosus tendinous arms and the posterior oblique ligament as seen in the three orthogonal planes, to review the biomechanics of this complex and to illustrate pathologic examples. The distal semimembranosus tendon divides into fi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Skeletal radiology 2003-08, Vol.32 (8), p.435-445
Main Authors: Beltran, Javier, Matityahu, Amir, Hwang, Ki, Jbara, Marlena, Maimon, Ron, Padron, Mario, Mota, Javier, Beltran, Luis, Sundaram, Murali
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomechanical Phenomena
Humans
Knee - anatomy & histology
Knee Injuries - diagnosis
Knee Joint - physiology
Ligaments
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology
Muscle, Skeletal - injuries
Sports medicine
Tendons - anatomy & histology
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Summary:To describe the normal MR anatomy and variations of the distal semimembranosus tendinous arms and the posterior oblique ligament as seen in the three orthogonal planes, to review the biomechanics of this complex and to illustrate pathologic examples. The distal semimembranosus tendon divides into five tendinous arms named the anterior, direct, capsular, inferior and the oblique popliteal ligament. These arms intertwine with the branches of the posterior oblique ligament in the posterior medial aspect of the knee, providing stability. This tendon-ligamentous complex also acts synergistically with the popliteus muscle and actively pulls the posterior horn of the medial meniscus during knee flexion. Pathologic conditions involving this complex include complete and partial tears, insertional tendinosis, avulsion fractures and bursitis.
ISSN:0364-2348
1432-2161
DOI:10.1007/s00256-003-0641-1