Technique for Surgical Dissection and Histological Investigation of the Anterolateral Ligament in the Fetal Knee

Abstract

There is growing evidence into the structure and function of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee. However, debate still exists about the anatomical characteristics, biomechanical role, and even the existence of the ALL, despite numerous cadaveric, biomechanical, and clinical studies. This article describes, with video illustration, the surgical dissection of the ALL in human fetal lower limbs, including determination of detailed anatomical and histological features of the ALL during fetal development. The ALL was clearly identified in dissected fetal knees, and histologic analysis shows well-organized, dense collagenous tissue fibers with elongated fibroblasts, consistent with the properties of a ligament.