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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 3/2006

01-03-2006 | Knee

Anatomy of the anterior cruciate ligament

Authors: V. B. Duthon, C. Barea, S. Abrassart, J. H. Fasel, D. Fritschy, J. Ménétrey

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 3/2006

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Abstract

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. When the knee is extended, the ACL has a mean length of 32 mm and a width of 7–12 mm. There are two components of the ACL, the anteromedial bundle (AMB) and the posterolateral bundle (PLB). They are not isometric with the main change being lengthening of the AMB and shortening of the PLB during flexion. 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. The complex ultrastructural organization and abundant elastic system of the ACL allow it to withstand multiaxial stresses and varying tensile strains. The ACL is innervated by posterior articular branches of the tibial nerve and is vascularized by branches of the middle genicular artery.
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Metadata
Title
Anatomy of the anterior cruciate ligament
Authors
V. B. Duthon
C. Barea
S. Abrassart
J. H. Fasel
D. Fritschy
J. Ménétrey
Publication date
01-03-2006
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 3/2006
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-005-0679-9

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