The PCL is the posterior cruciate ligament.
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is one of the four major ligaments in the knee. It's crucial for knee stability, preventing the tibia (shin bone) from sliding backward under the femur (thigh bone). It's often considered the strongest ligament in the knee. It runs from the posterior (back) aspect of the tibia to the anterior (front) aspect of the femur.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Function: Prevents posterior translation (backward movement) of the tibia relative to the femur. It's especially important during activities like kneeling or going down stairs.
- Location: Located inside the knee joint, crossing with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) to form an "X".
- Strength: As mentioned, it's the strongest of the four main knee ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL).
- Injury: PCL injuries are less common than ACL injuries. They often occur from direct blows to the front of the knee while it's bent (e.g., a dashboard injury in a car accident) or from hyperextension (overstraightening) of the knee.
