Abstract:

Objective To investigate the anatomy of the tibiofibular syndesmosis ligaments and to compared the characteristics of the ligament. Methods Thirty adult cadaveric legs were examined in this study. The average age of the cadavers was 61, ranged from 46 to 75 years. Using a layered dissection method, the following data were collected: the average length, width, thickness of anterior tibiofibular ligament, posterior tibiofibular ligament, transverse tibiofibular ligament and intersseous ligament，the angle between anterior tibiofibular ligament, posterior tibiofibular ligament and the horizontal plane，the angle between anterior tibiofibular ligament, posterior tibiofibular ligament and the midpoint of internal and external malleolus. Results The average length of the anterior tibiofibular ligament was (18.18±2.64) mm, width of (13.28±1.82) mm,thickness of (1.98±0.24) mm, and horizontal angle of (38±4) °, the angle with the midpoint of internal and external malleolus was (33±3)°. The average length of the posterior tibiofibular ligament was (16.12±2.40) mm，width of (11.58±1.98) mm，thickness of (2.52±0.32) mm，and horizontal angle of (31±5)°，the angle with the midpoint of internal and external malleolus was 29°±4°. The average length of the transverse tibiofibular ligament was (24.42±4.54) mm，width of (4.96±0.92) mm，thickness of (3.12±0.42) mm；the average length of intersseous ligament was (22.24±3.92) mm，width of (16.42±2.32) mm，thickness of (1.42±0.44) mm. Conclusion This study reveals the anatomical features of the tibiofibular syndesmosis and provides the anatomical basis for clinical application.

Key words: Tibiofibular syndesmosis , Teartment , Local anatomy , Adult