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Morphological and morphometric analysis of oblique popliteal ligament in North Indian population: a cadaveric study

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Abstract

Purpose

To study the morphology and the morphometry of the oblique popliteal ligament (OPL).

Methods

Thirty cadaver knees were dissected to study the morphology and morphometry of the OPL. For the measurement of the morphology of the OPL a standard tape and the vernier callipers were used.

Result

Out of 30 specimens 14 were Y shaped, 10 were band shaped, and 6 were Z shaped observed. Total length was measured on both the limbs, on the right side it was 4.5 ± 0.4 cm and on the left side 4.5 ± 0.5 cm was recorded. Width at the medial attachment was also measured on both the limbs, on the right side it was 4.6 ± 0.5 cm and on the left side 4.7 ± 0.5 cm was recorded. And width at the lateral attachment was recorded too, on the right side it was 4 ± 0.3 cm and on the left side it was 4 ± 0.3 cm. Width at the midpoint was recorded as on the right side 3.5 ± 0.2 cm and on the left side 3.5 ± 0.2 cm.

Conclusion

The OPL is a thick ligament that arises as an extension of the semimembranosus, and it exists in various morphology which includes band, Y, Z, complex shapes.

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Data availability

Data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank those who donated their bodies to science so that anatomical research could be performed. Results from such research can potentially increase mankind’s overall knowledge that can then improve patient care. Therefore, these donors and their families deserve our highest gratitude. The authors also thank Jutta Knifka from the Institute of Anatomy of the University of Cologne for taking the photographs used in this study.

Funding

Open access funding enabled.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

EK: Done the research work. RBJ: Guide and analysis. SR: Help with the work. VM: Guide. HKL: Guide.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emmanuel Kancharla.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

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A positive ruling from the ethics committee of the medical Faculty of the university was obtained.

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Kancharla, E., Jeph, R.B., Ravichandran, S. et al. Morphological and morphometric analysis of oblique popliteal ligament in North Indian population: a cadaveric study. Surg Radiol Anat 46, 399–405 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-023-03288-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-023-03288-4

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