Posterior talofibular ligament
Updates to Article Attributes
The posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL) is one of three ligaments that compose the lateral collateral ligament complex of the ankle. When the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments are intact, it only has a secondary role in ankle joint stability and is also the least commonly injured of the three ligaments.
Gross anatomy
The PTFL is an intracapsular but extra-synovial ligament that arises from the posterior aspect of the distal fibula, courses posterolaterallypostero-medially to insert into the lateral tubercle on the posterior aspect of the talus.
Relations
Lies deep to the peroneal retinaculum and flexor hallucis longus tendon 3.
Variant anatomy
- fibres insert into an os trigonum if present 3
Radiographic features
MRI
- often appears striated or striped secondary to its fibrofatty make-up 1
-<p>The <strong>posterior talofibular ligament</strong> (<strong>PTFL</strong>) is one of three ligaments that compose the <a href="/articles/lateral-collateral-ligament-of-the-ankle">lateral collateral ligament complex of the ankle</a>. When the <a href="/articles/anterior-talofibular-ligament-1">anterior talofibular</a> and <a href="/articles/calcaneofibular-ligament">calcaneofibular ligaments</a> are intact, it only has a secondary role in ankle joint stability and is also the least commonly injured of the three ligaments. </p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The PTFL is an intracapsular but extra-synovial ligament that arises from the posterior aspect of the distal <a href="/articles/fibula">fibula</a>, courses posterolaterally to insert into the lateral tubercle on the posterior aspect of the <a href="/articles/talus">talus</a>.</p><h5>Relations</h5><p>Lies deep to the <a href="/articles/peroneal-retinaculum">peroneal retinaculum</a> and <a href="/articles/flexor-hallucis-longus-1">flexor hallucis longus</a> tendon <sup>3</sup>. </p><h4>Variant anatomy</h4><ul><li>fibres insert into an <a href="/articles/os-trigonum">os trigonum</a> if present <sup>3</sup> </li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>MRI</h5><ul><li>often appears striated or striped secondary to its fibrofatty make-up <sup>1</sup>- +<p>The <strong>posterior talofibular ligament</strong> (<strong>PTFL</strong>) is one of three ligaments that compose the <a href="/articles/lateral-collateral-ligament-of-the-ankle">lateral collateral ligament complex of the ankle</a>. When the <a href="/articles/anterior-talofibular-ligament-1">anterior talofibular</a> and <a href="/articles/calcaneofibular-ligament">calcaneofibular ligaments</a> are intact, it only has a secondary role in ankle joint stability and is also the least commonly injured of the three ligaments. </p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The PTFL is an intracapsular but extra-synovial ligament that arises from the posterior aspect of the distal <a href="/articles/fibula">fibula</a>, courses postero-medially to insert into the lateral tubercle on the posterior aspect of the <a href="/articles/talus">talus</a>.</p><h5>Relations</h5><p>Lies deep to the <a href="/articles/peroneal-retinaculum">peroneal retinaculum</a> and <a href="/articles/flexor-hallucis-longus-1">flexor hallucis longus</a> tendon <sup>3</sup>. </p><h4>Variant anatomy</h4><ul><li>fibres insert into an <a href="/articles/os-trigonum">os trigonum</a> if present <sup>3</sup> </li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>MRI</h5><ul><li>often appears striated or striped secondary to its fibrofatty make-up <sup>1</sup>