Attachments of the Medial and Lateral Collateral Ligaments of the Knee

Medial Collateral Ligament: Originates distal to the adductor tubercle of femur and inserts 5 cm below the joint line medially.

Lateral Collateral Ligament Complex:

• Biceps femoris: Originates as part of the hamstrings and inserts at the fibular head. Most posterior.
• Lateral collateral ligament proper (fibulocolateral ligament): Originates along the lateral femoral condyle and inserts at the fibular head.
• Iliotibial band: Originates at the level of the greater trochanter by the coalescence of the fascial investments of the tensor fasciae latae and the gluteus maximus and medius muscles. On its way down, it attaches to the supracondylar tubercle of the femoral condyle and the intermuscular septum before attaching to the Gerdy tubercle. Most anterior.

References

Muhle C, Ahn JM, Yeh L, Bergman GA, Boutin RD, Schweitzer M, Jacobson JA, Haghighi P, Trudell DJ, Resnick D. Iliotibial band friction syndrome: MR imaging findings in 16 patients and MR arthrographic study of six cadaveric knees. Radiology. 1999 Jul;212(1):103-10.