The Humphrey ligament (anterior meniscofemoral ligament) runs from the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus anteriorly to insert on the medial femoral condyle anterior to the posterior cruciate ligament. It is present in approximately 30-70% of knees, either alone or with the Wrisberg ligament (posterior meniscofemoral). Together, the meniscofemoral ligaments prevent the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus from being driven posteriorly by PCL tension during knee flexion.
Resists posterior displacement of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus during knee flexion and maintains lateral meniscal position relative to the lateral tibial plateau.
The Humphrey and Wrisberg ligaments are visible on MRI as band-like structures connecting the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the medial femoral condyle; they should not be mistaken for loose bodies or PCL pathology. During PCL reconstruction, these meniscofemoral ligaments may partially substitute for a completely torn PCL, explaining why isolated complete PCL tears may have less functional disability than expected. Arthroscopic identification of these ligaments helps confirm the anatomy of the posterior compartment before meniscal repair or PCL reconstruction.
The Humphrey ligament running anterior to the PCL may be mistaken for a PCL bundle remnant or a loose body on knee MRI; identification of its course from the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the medial femoral condyle distinguishes it from pathological tissue and avoids unnecessary arthroscopic intervention.
