Posterior ligament of fibular head
Ligamentum posterius capitis fibulae
A single thick band strengthening the back of the upper tibiofibular joint, deep to the popliteus tendon.
At a glance
- English
- Posterior ligament of fibular head
- Latin (TA2)
- Ligamentum posterius capitis fibulae
- System
- Ligament
- Region
- Lower limb
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the posterior ligament of fibular head
The posterior ligament of the fibular head reinforces the back of the proximal tibiofibular joint, the small synovial joint below the outer side of the knee where the head of the fibula meets the lateral tibial condyle. Its partner, the anterior ligament, strengthens the front of the same joint.
Unlike the anterior ligament, which is made of several bands, the posterior ligament is one thick, broad band. It runs obliquely upwards and medially from the back of the fibular head to the rear face of the lateral tibial condyle, blending with the joint capsule along its course.
The tendon of popliteus crosses over it from behind as the muscle passes from the back of the tibia towards the lateral femoral condyle. Between that tendon and the joint lies the subpopliteal recess, an extension of the knee's synovial cavity, which in some people opens into the tibiofibular joint, so the two joints can share fluid. The common fibular nerve lies lateral and below, curving around the neck of the fibula.
The ligament keeps the fibular head snug against the tibia and limits its gliding and rotating movements, which accompany ankle movements as the fibula adapts to the shape of the talus. Injury is uncommon, but backward dislocation of the fibular head, though rarer than the forward type, tears this ligament. Because of the connection to the knee cavity, swelling or arthritis in one joint may affect the other.
Attachments and function
- Attaches from
- The posterior surface of the fibular head.
- Attaches to
- The back of the lateral tibial condyle.
- Function
- Strengthens the back of the proximal tibiofibular joint capsule and limits gliding of the fibular head.
- Nerve supply
- Articular branches of the common fibular nerve and of the nerve to popliteus.
- Blood supply
- Branches of the inferior lateral genicular and posterior tibial recurrent arteries.
Anthromica
See the posterior ligament of fibular head where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
