Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
Introduction[edit | edit source]
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a band of dense connective tissue which courses from the femur to the tibia. The ACL is a key structure in the knee joint, as it resists anterior tibial translation and rotational loads.
Origin[edit | edit source]
Deep within the notch of the distal femur with the proximal fibers fanning out along the medial wall of the lateral femoral condyle.
Orientation[edit | edit source]
Insertion[edit | edit source]
Anterior to the intercondyloid eminence of the tibia, being blended with the anterior horn of the medial meniscus.
Nerve Supply[edit | edit source]
The ACL is innervated by posterior articular branches of the tibial nerve.
Vascular Supply[edit | edit source]
The ACL is vascularized by branches of the middle genicular artery.
Features[edit | edit source]
The ACL has a microstructure of collagen bundles of multiple types (mostly type I) and a matrix made of a network of proteins, glycoproteins, elastic systems, and glycosaminoglycans with multiple functional interactions[1]. There are two components of the ACL, the anteromedial bundle (AMB) and the posterolateral bundle (PLB), named according to where the bundles insert into the tibial plateau. They are not isometric with the main change being lengthening of the AMB and shortening of the PLB during flexion.
Function[edit | edit source]
Resists anterior translation and medial rotation of the tibia, in relation to the femur.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Duthon VB, Barea C, Abrassart S, Fasel JH, Fritschy D, Ménétrey J. Anatomy of the anterior cruciate ligament. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2006 Mar;14(3):204-13. Epub 2005 Oct 19.
