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Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Anterior Cruciate Ligament - Definition
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four primary ligaments of the knee of human beings that attaches on the tibial plateau, specifically the medial aspect of its anterior intercondylar region.
It is also referred to as:
Anterior Cruciate Ligament - Origin
The ligament arises from deep inside the notch of the distal femur.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament - Appearance
The ligament is firm in appearance. It is usually thinner, longer and more oblique than the posterior cruciate ligament.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament - Function
The ligament provides stability to the knee joint and prevents sliding (anterior translation) of the tibia in connection to the femur. It also restricts the lateral rotation of the human tibia.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament - Disorders
The anterior cruciate ligament can sometimes suffer a tear and become part of "the terrible triad", a type of knee injury. The other two ligaments to suffer simultaneous tearing include the medial meniscus and the medial collateral ligament (MCL). Severe cases of this type of tear require surgical correction.
ACL injuries are more common in women than men as the size of the ligament, as well as the joint through which it passes, is quite smaller in the female body. This makes it more prone to damage. Anterior Cruciate Ligament - Pictures
The images below represent the location and appearance of this ligament in the human body.
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