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

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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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA

    Javier Beltran, Marlena Jbara & Ron Maimon

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA

    Amir Matityahu & Ki Hwang

  3. Department of Radiology, Clinica CEMTRO, Madrid, Spain

    Mario Padron

  4. Department of Radiology, Instituto Clinica Corachan, Barcelona, Spain

    Javier Mota

  5. New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Luis Beltran

  6. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

    Murali Sundaram

Authors
  1. Javier Beltran
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  2. Amir Matityahu
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  3. Ki Hwang
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  4. Marlena Jbara
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  5. Ron Maimon
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  6. Mario Padron
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  7. Javier Mota
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  8. Luis Beltran
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  9. Murali Sundaram
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Correspondence to Javier Beltran.

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Beltran, J., Matityahu, A., Hwang, K. et al. The distal semimembranosus complex: normal MR anatomy, variants, biomechanics and pathology. Skeletal Radiol 32, 435–445 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-003-0641-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-003-0641-1

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