open access

Vol 72, No 1 (2013)
Review article
Submitted: 2012-03-01
Accepted: 2012-04-30
Published online: 2013-03-04
Get Citation

Distal semimembranosus muscle-tendon-unit review: morphology, accurate terminology, and clinical relevance

B. Benninger, T. Delamarter
DOI: 10.5603/FM.2013.0001
·
Folia Morphol 2013;72(1):1-9.

open access

Vol 72, No 1 (2013)
REVIEW ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-03-01
Accepted: 2012-04-30
Published online: 2013-03-04

Abstract

Background: Our knowledge of the stability of the posteromedial knee is evolving. The distal semimembranosus is an important posteromedial stabilizer of the knee. Current anatomical texts and atlases do not accurately detail the distal insertion. Journal literature commonly mentions multiple distal insertions, one of which contributes to the oblique popliteal ligament. The purpose of this study was to review the literature, current morphology, terminology and clinical relevance of the distal semimembranosus muscle-tendon-unit (SMTU), and suggest alternative nomenclature.

Methods: Literature search was conducted on anatomical and clinical texts, atlases, journals and websites to analyze the distal morphology of the semimembranosus muscle. Deep dissections were performed on 31 embalmed cadavers, 56 knees in total (27Rt and 29L), identifying the distal semimembranosus tendon morphology.

Results: Literature search revealed significantly inconsistent morphology of the distal semimembranosus muscle-tendon-unit. Cadaver dissection revealed a consistent trifurcation with three dominant expansions. Cadaver dissection also revealed an oblique popliteal tendon/expansion, indigenous to SMTU, not a ligament.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence of a consistent morphology and suggests a more precise nomenclature of the distal SMTU, which includes renaming the oblique popliteal ligament as the oblique popliteal tendon/expansion.

Abstract

Background: Our knowledge of the stability of the posteromedial knee is evolving. The distal semimembranosus is an important posteromedial stabilizer of the knee. Current anatomical texts and atlases do not accurately detail the distal insertion. Journal literature commonly mentions multiple distal insertions, one of which contributes to the oblique popliteal ligament. The purpose of this study was to review the literature, current morphology, terminology and clinical relevance of the distal semimembranosus muscle-tendon-unit (SMTU), and suggest alternative nomenclature.

Methods: Literature search was conducted on anatomical and clinical texts, atlases, journals and websites to analyze the distal morphology of the semimembranosus muscle. Deep dissections were performed on 31 embalmed cadavers, 56 knees in total (27Rt and 29L), identifying the distal semimembranosus tendon morphology.

Results: Literature search revealed significantly inconsistent morphology of the distal semimembranosus muscle-tendon-unit. Cadaver dissection revealed a consistent trifurcation with three dominant expansions. Cadaver dissection also revealed an oblique popliteal tendon/expansion, indigenous to SMTU, not a ligament.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence of a consistent morphology and suggests a more precise nomenclature of the distal SMTU, which includes renaming the oblique popliteal ligament as the oblique popliteal tendon/expansion.

Get Citation

Keywords

semimembranosus; posteromedial knee; oblique popliteal ligament; distal semimembranosus tendon

About this article
Title

Distal semimembranosus muscle-tendon-unit review: morphology, accurate terminology, and clinical relevance

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 72, No 1 (2013)

Article type

Review article

Pages

1-9

Published online

2013-03-04

Page views

2266

Article views/downloads

5409

DOI

10.5603/FM.2013.0001

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2013;72(1):1-9.

Keywords

semimembranosus
posteromedial knee
oblique popliteal ligament
distal semimembranosus tendon

Authors

B. Benninger
T. Delamarter

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp. z o.o., Grupa Via Medica, Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk, Poland

tel.: +48 58 320 94 94, faks: +48 58 320 94 60, e-mail: viamedica@viamedica.pl