Structure
The transverse ligament of the knee joint connects the anterior convex margin of the lateral meniscus with the anterior aspect of the medial meniscus. It has an average length of 3–4 cm. It varies in thickness and is sometimes absent.
Based on the attachment pattern, the ligament has been classified into three types:
—type 1 pattern entails attachment of the transverse ligament to the anterior horn of the medial meniscus and the anterior margin of the lateral meniscus;
—type 2 pattern involves attachment of the ligament, medially to the anterior margin of the medial meniscus and laterally to the joint capsule;
—type 3 attachments are primarily into the joint capsule (Muhle et al., 1999);
—in some cases, the ligament has also been found attached to the periosteum of the upper anterior border of the tibia.
Related parts of the anatomy
Function
The transverse ligament of the knee joint contributes to the stability of the knee joint by regulating movements of the lateral meniscus and restricting the anteroposterior meniscal motion of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus.
List of Clinical Correlates
—Transverse ligament tear
References
Muhle, C., Thompson, W. O., Sciulli, R., Pedowitz, R., Ahn, J. M., Yeh, L., Clopton, P., Haghighi, P., Trudell, D. J. and Resnick, D. (1999) 'Transverse ligament and its effect on meniscal motion. Correlation of kinematic MR imaging and anatomic sections', Invest Radiol, 34(9), pp. 558-65.
