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Skeletal Radiology
Published in: Skeletal Radiology 8/2003

01-08-2003 | Review Article

The distal semimembranosus complex: normal MR anatomy, variants, biomechanics and pathology

Authors: Javier Beltran, Amir Matityahu, Ki Hwang, Marlena Jbara, Ron Maimon, Mario Padron, Javier Mota, Luis Beltran, Murali Sundaram

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 8/2003

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Abstract

Objective

To describe the normal MR anatomy and variations of the distal semimembranosus tendinous arms and the posterior oblique ligament as seen in the three orthogonal planes, to review the biomechanics of this complex and to illustrate pathologic examples.

Results and conclusion

The distal semimembranosus tendon divides into five tendinous arms named the anterior, direct, capsular, inferior and the oblique popliteal ligament. These arms intertwine with the branches of the posterior oblique ligament in the posterior medial aspect of the knee, providing stability. This tendon-ligamentous complex also acts synergistically with the popliteus muscle and actively pulls the posterior horn of the medial meniscus during knee flexion. Pathologic conditions involving this complex include complete and partial tears, insertional tendinosis, avulsion fractures and bursitis.
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Metadata
Title
The distal semimembranosus complex: normal MR anatomy, variants, biomechanics and pathology
Authors
Javier Beltran
Amir Matityahu
Ki Hwang
Marlena Jbara
Ron Maimon
Mario Padron
Javier Mota
Luis Beltran
Murali Sundaram
Publication date
01-08-2003
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 8/2003
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-003-0641-1

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