KNEE JOINT-CRUCIATE LIGAMENTS

SUMMARY

1. Named for their tibial origins. There is torsion of the ligaments.
TIP: mnemonic - LAMP: Lateral condyle to Anterior cruciate; Medial condyle to Posterior cruciate.


2. ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT - arises from the anterior tibial plateau, in front of the tibial spine. It has 2 bundles: anteromedial & posterolateral. Attached to the lateral femoral condyle in the intercondylar notch. This is important in limiting extension & involved in the locking ('screw-home') mechanism. 

3. POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT - arises from the posterior surface of the tibia. Attached to the medial femoral condyle in the intercondylar notch. The PCL is the only stabilizing factor in the weight-bearing flexed knee, hence the patient will have difficulty walking down hill. 

Reference(s)

R.M.H McMinn (1998). Last’s anatomy: regional and applied. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Gray, H., Carter, H.V. and Davidson, G. (2017). Gray’s anatomy. London: Arcturus.