Anatomical Characteristics of the Calcaneofibular Ligament of Ankle Joint in Korean Population

The calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) plays an important role in ankle joint stability during inversion. The aim of this study was to evaluate anthropological characteristics of CFL in Korean cadavers and to provide fundamental data to clinicians. For this study, formalin-fixed 69 Korean cadavers were used and 125 feet (75 males and 50 females/63 right, 62 left) were dissected. The average age was 76.3 years old. In neutral position of ankle, the attachment area of the CFL was identified. Also, both width and length of the CFL were measured. In addition, the conjoined pattern and the angle between the CFL and the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) were measured. The attachment of the CFL averaged 8.6±2.7 mm at the tip of fibular. The width of the fibula attachment, that of the middle part of the ligament and that of the calcaneal attachment were 7.4±1.5 mm, 6.7±1.4 mm, and 7.8±1.6 mm respectively. The length of the CFL was 22.0±2.7 mm. The connection of the CFL and the ATFL was confirmed in all specimens, and the average angle between the CFL and the ATFL was 113.8±16.6°. The ligaments were longer in male than in female, and the angles between two ligaments were wider in male than in female. This data will be helpful for understanding the anatomical structure of the ankle ligament, as well as for the diagnosis and treatment of ankle ligament injury.