Human ligaments classification: a new proposal

Abstract

A high concern exists among physicians about surgically important ligaments such as cruciate and collateral ligaments of the knee, patellar ligament, tibiofibular syndesmosis, collateral ligaments of the ankle, and coracoclavicular ligament. However, the classification of the ligaments is insufficient in the literature, due to their origin from connective tissue. A new classification is proposed, based on various parameters such as the macroscopic and microscopic features, the function and the nature of their attachment areas. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 2: 61–67)