The supporting structures and layers on the medial side of the knee: an anatomical analysis.

The goal of this study was to delineate the consistent anatomical structures in the medial side of the knee and to determine their relationship to one another. One hundred and fifty-four fresh human knee joints were dissected. A three-layered pattern was found in which ligaments could be consistently placed. We have made suggestions regarding the nomenclature of these structures. The limits of of the so-called capsule and its significance as a stabilizer of the knee joint were examined. Only minor variations in the over-all anatomical pattern were found.