Anat Biol Anthropol.  2024 Mar;37(1):1-8. 10.11637/aba.2024.37.1.1.

Morphological Study of the Inferior Fascicle of the Anterior Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament in Korean Cadaver

• Kwon H
• Cho J
• Kim D
• Choi Y
• Park K
• Park SB
• Choe Y
• Lee M
• Lee YI
• Park J

• KMID: 2562471
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11637/aba.2024.37.1.1

Abstract

The aim of this study is to clarify morphological characteristics of the inferior fascicle of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) in Korean cadavers and provide anatomical evidence regarding the role of the inferior fascicle of the AITFL in ankle impingement syndrome. For this study, 79 feet from formalinfixed Korean cadavers (76.86±11.97 years) were dissected, 50 male and 29 female feet, 40 right and 39 left feet. The inferior fascicle of the AITFL were classified using Edama et al’s method. Also, its length, and width were measured, as well as the conjoined between it and the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the angle between the lower surface of it and articular surface of the tibia plafond. As a result, the inferior fascicle of the AITFL was confirmed in 96.2% of cases, with type Ⅰ in 20 feet (25.3%), type Ⅱ in 21 feet (26.5%), type Ⅲ in 24 feet (30.3%), type Ⅳ absent in 11 feet (13.9%), and absent in 3 feet (3.7%). The angle between the articular surface of the distal fibula and the inferior fascicle of the AITFL was 138.2±13.4°, conjoined between the inferior fascicle of the AITFL and the ATFL was confirmed in 61.8% of cases. The length of the inferior fascicle of the AITFL was 21.6±2.6 mm, and the width at the attachment site of the tibia was 5.9±1.3 mm, at the midpoint of the ligament was 3.9±0.8 mm, and at the attachment site of the fibula was 3.6±0.7 mm. In conclusion, we established anthropological data of the Koreans and provided anatomical evidence that can be applied clinically to understand the association with ankle sprains.

Keyword

Korean cadaver; Ankle; Anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament; Inferior fascicle; Morphological classification