The aim of the present study was to investigate the anatomical and morphological
characteristics and the maximum elongation of the calcaneofibular ligament
(CFL) in cadavers.
In a sample of 72 cadaveric lower limbs the mean values of length, width,
thickness, and angle with the sagittal plane were recorded for the CFL.
The mean ligament’s length was 31.8 mm, and the mean width and thickness
were 4.4 mm and 1.5 mm respectively. The mean angle with the sagittal plane
was 51.11°. In 72.2% of the lower limbs studied, the ligament presented one
band, while 22.2% and 5.6% of them were two-banded and three-banded
respectively. A common origin with the anterior talofibular ligament (TFL) was
found in 24 of the feet (33%). There were also 4 cases in which the anterior TFL
was absent. Finally, we measured the maximal elongation of the ligament during
extreme inversion and simultaneous dorsal flexion and found it to be
2.88 mm on average. We noticed and statistically verified that women presented
a greater elongation compared to men.
A precise knowledge of the origin, insertion, direction, and morphology of CFL
is critical for ligament injuries in ankle sprains and during ankle reconstruction.
Ligament elasticity plays an important role in the range of ankle motion and
ligament shearing. Male and female ankle joints differ in several anthropometric
characteristics and thus the genre differences in ligament elongation are of
great interest. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 3: 180–184