Lower limb
Patellar retinacula (Medial and lateral)
Retinacula patellae (mediale et laterale)
- Origin
- Fibrous expansions from vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and iliotibial band
- Insertion
- Attach to the medial and lateral margins of the patella and insert into femoral epicondyles and tibial condyles (including the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament - MPFL)
- Function
- Provide passive and dynamic stabilization maintaining patellar tracking within the femoral trochlear groove
- Innervation
- Sensory articular branches of the femoral nerve
- Movement & chain
- Guide central patellar tracking throughout 0-140 degrees of knee flexion
- Palpation
- Palpable along medial and lateral patellar borders; tender following acute dislocation
- Clinical
- Acute patellar dislocation (tearing the MPFL and medial retinaculum); Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS / Runner's knee from lateral patellar tilt and excessive lateral retinacular tightness)
- Segmental innervation
- L3, L4 spinal roots
- In clinical practice
- Bassett's sign and apprehension test for patellar instability; MPFL anatomical reconstruction using gracilis autograft; targeted VMO strengthening
- Region in the model
- Lower limb