Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
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Front view of the right knee joint with the kneecap (patella) removed.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) links the upper leg bone (femur) with one of the lower leg bones (tibia) by running crosswise inside the center of the knee joint. The ACL stabilizes knee movement in a forward and backward direction.
Credits
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kathie Hummel-Berry, PT, PhD - Physical Therapy |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Patrick J. McMahon, MD - Orthopedics |
| Last Updated | May 19, 2006 |