Morphological and morphometric analysis of oblique popliteal ligament in North Indian population: a cadaveric study

To study the morphology and the morphometry of the oblique popliteal ligament (OPL).

Thirty cadaver knees were dissected to study the morphology and morphometry of the OPL. For the measurement of the morphology of the OPL a standard tape and the vernier callipers were used.

Out of 30 specimens 14 were Y shaped, 10 were band shaped, and 6 were Z shaped observed. Total length was measured on both the limbs, on the right side it was 4.5 ± 0.4 cm and on the left side 4.5 ± 0.5 cm was recorded. Width at the medial attachment was also measured on both the limbs, on the right side it was 4.6 ± 0.5 cm and on the left side 4.7 ± 0.5 cm was recorded. And width at the lateral attachment was recorded too, on the right side it was 4 ± 0.3 cm and on the left side it was 4 ± 0.3 cm. Width at the midpoint was recorded as on the right side 3.5 ± 0.2 cm and on the left side 3.5 ± 0.2 cm.

The OPL is a thick ligament that arises as an extension of the semimembranosus, and it exists in various morphology which includes band, Y, Z, complex shapes.