Anterior talofibular ligament
The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is part of the lateral collateral ligament complex of the ankle. Its role is to stabilise the talus. It is also the weakest of the lateral collateral ankle ligaments.
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Gross anatomy
The ATFL is an intracapsular flat two-banded ligament that arises from the distal anterior tip of the lateral malleolus passing anteromedially to the lateral aspect of the talus at the talar neck. It normally measures 6-10 mm long and 2 mm thick.
Variant anatomy
The ATFL is classically described as having two bands, but it may be a single band or three bands. One small cadaveric study put the prevalence of a two-band ATFL at ~50% 3.
Radiographic appearance
MRI
- T1: uniformly low signal and thickness 4
- T2: uniformly low signal and thickness 4
Related pathology
- most commonly injured lateral ligament in ankle sprains 1
- ATFL injury
Related Radiopaedia articles
Anatomy: Lower limb
- skeleton of the lower limb
- joints
- hip joint
- knee joint
- tibiofibular joints
-
ankle joint
- regional anatomy
- medial ankle
- lateral ankle
- anterior ankle
- ligaments
- medial collateral (deltoid) ligament
- lateral collateral ligament
- additional structures
- ankle bursae
- ossification centres of the ankle
- variants
- regional anatomy
- foot joints
-
subtalar joint
- articulations
- ligaments
- associated structures
- mid-tarsal (Chopart) joint
-
tarsometatarsal (Lisfranc) joint
- ligaments
- intermetatarsal joint
- metatarsophalangeal joint
- interphalangeal joint
-
subtalar joint
- spaces of the lower limb
-
muscles of the lower limb
- muscles of the pelvic group
- muscles of the thigh
- muscles of the leg
- anterior compartment of the leg
- posterior compartments of the leg
- lateral compartment of the leg
- muscles of the foot
- dorsal muscles
- plantar muscles
- 1st layer
- 2nd layer
- 3rd layer
- 4th layer
- accessory muscles
- vascular supply
- innervation of the lower limb
- lymphatics
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