Anterior cruciate ligament

Anterior cruciate ligament
Diagram of the right knee. Anterior cruciate ligament labeled at center left.
Details
FromLateral condyle of the femur
ToIntercondyloid eminence of the tibia
Identifiers
Latinligamentum cruciatum anterius
MeSHD016118
TA98A03.6.08.007
TA21890
FMA44614
Anatomical terminology

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of a pair of cruciate ligaments (the other being the posterior cruciate ligament) in the human knee. The two ligaments are called "cruciform" ligaments, as they are arranged in a crossed formation. In the quadruped stifle joint (analogous to the knee), based on its anatomical position, it is also referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.[1] The term cruciate is Latin for cross. This name is fitting because the ACL crosses the posterior cruciate ligament to form an "X". It is composed of strong, fibrous material and assists in controlling excessive motion by limiting mobility of the joint. The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the four main ligaments of the knee, providing 85% of the restraining force to anterior tibial displacement at 30 and 90° of knee flexion.[2] The ACL is the most frequently injured ligament in the knee.

  1. ^ "Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease" (PDF). Melbourne Veterinary Referral Centre. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2008. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
  2. ^ Ellison, A. E.; Berg, E. E. (1985). "Embryology, anatomy, and function of the anterior cruciate ligament". The Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 16 (1): 3–14. doi:10.1016/S0030-5898(20)30463-6. PMID 3969275.