The knee ligaments are crucial for stability and connect the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) and fibula. Here's a breakdown of their attachments:
Cruciate Ligaments
The cruciate ligaments, located inside the knee joint, prevent excessive forward and backward movement of the tibia relative to the femur. There are two cruciate ligaments:
-
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL):
- Femoral Attachment: Posterior aspect of the lateral femoral condyle.
- Tibial Attachment: Anterior intercondylar area of the tibia, just in front of the tibial spines.
-
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL):
- Femoral Attachment: Anterior aspect of the medial femoral condyle.
- Tibial Attachment: Posterior intercondylar area of the tibia.
Collateral Ligaments
The collateral ligaments are located on the sides of the knee and provide stability against sideways forces. There are two collateral ligaments:
-
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL):
- Femoral Attachment: Medial femoral epicondyle.
- Tibial Attachment: Medial aspect of the proximal tibia, below the pes anserinus. It also has attachments to the medial meniscus.
-
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL):
- Femoral Attachment: Lateral femoral epicondyle.
- Fibular Attachment: Head of the fibula.
Patellar Ligament
The patellar ligament is technically a continuation of the quadriceps tendon and connects the patella (kneecap) to the tibia.
- Patellar Attachment: Inferior pole of the patella.
- Tibial Attachment: Tibial tuberosity (a bony prominence on the anterior aspect of the proximal tibia).
In summary, the knee ligaments attach the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella to create a stable and functional joint. Their specific attachment points are crucial for proper knee biomechanics.
