Anterior cruciate ligament

Anterior cruciate ligament
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 also 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 translates to 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. This is done 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 injured ligament of the four located 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.

[MVRC-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.

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