Medial patellofemoral ligament

Changed by Henry Knipe, 23 Aug 2022
Disclosures - updated 6 Apr 2022:
  • Radiopaedia Events Pty Ltd, Speaker fees (past)
  • Integral Diagnostics, Shareholder (ongoing)
  • Micro-X Ltd, Shareholder (ongoing)

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) belongs to the anterior medial supporting structures of the knee 1-3 and it is the main structure, preventing the patella from lateral displacement at 50-60% restraining force 1,7-9. It is one of the medial patellar stabilisers together with the medial retinaculum and the vastus medialis oblique muscle 5.

Gross anatomy

The MPFL is located superior and anterior to the medial collateral ligament and is part of the medial patellar retinaculum and the intermediate medial capsular layer 1-4.It forms the medial patellofemoral complex together with the medial quadriceps tendon femoral ligament 5.

Attachments
  • the MPFL has two origins 11
    • femoral tubercle component between the medial femoral epicondyle, the adductor tubercle and the gastrocnemius tubercle, just superior to the femoral origin of the superficial medial collateral ligament 1,2,4
    • oblique decussation component arising from the anterior edge of the proximal 3 cm of the superficial medial collateral ligament 11
  • distal insertion is at the superomedial aspect of the patella 1,2

Related pathology

  • -<p>The <strong>medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL)</strong> belongs to the anterior medial supporting structures of the <a href="/articles/knee-joint-1">knee</a> <sup>1-3</sup> and it is the main structure, preventing the patella from lateral displacement at 50-60% restraining force <sup>1,7-9</sup>. It is one of the medial patellar stabilisers together with the medial retinaculum and the <a href="/articles/vastus-medialis-muscle">vastus medialis oblique muscle</a> <sup>5</sup>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The MPFL is located superior and anterior to the <a href="/articles/medial-collateral-ligament-of-the-knee">medial collateral ligament</a> and is part of the <a href="/articles/medial-patellar-retinaculum">medial patellar retinaculum</a> and the intermediate medial capsular layer <sup>1-4. </sup>It forms the medial patellofemoral complex together with the medial quadriceps tendon femoral ligament <sup>5</sup>.</p><h5>Attachments</h5><ul>
  • +<p>The <strong>medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL)</strong> belongs to the anterior medial supporting structures of the <a href="/articles/knee-joint-1">knee</a> <sup>1-3</sup> and it is the main structure, preventing the patella from lateral displacement at 50-60% restraining force <sup>1,7-9</sup>. It is one of the medial patellar stabilisers together with the medial retinaculum and the <a href="/articles/vastus-medialis-muscle">vastus medialis oblique muscle</a> <sup>5</sup>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The MPFL is located superior and anterior to the <a href="/articles/medial-collateral-ligament-of-the-knee">medial collateral ligament</a> and is part of the <a href="/articles/medial-patellar-retinaculum">medial patellar retinaculum</a> and the intermediate medial capsular layer <sup>1-4</sup>.<sup> </sup>It forms the medial patellofemoral complex together with the medial quadriceps tendon femoral ligament <sup>5</sup>.</p><h5>Attachments</h5><ul>

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.