| Anterior cruciate ligament | |
|---|---|
 Diagram of the right knee. Anterior cruciate ligament labeled at center left. | |
| Details | |
| From | Lateral condyle of the femur |
| To | Intercondyloid eminence of the tibia |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ligamentum cruciatum anterius |
| MeSH | D016118 |
| TA98 | A03.6.08.007 |
| TA2 | 1890 |
| FMA | 44614 |
| 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.