cruciate ligament

cruciate ligament

ligamentum cruciatum genus Sports anatomy Either of 2 major ligaments which form a cross in the knee joint, ensuring proper movement; the anterior CL is more susceptible to injury and rupture than the posterior, which is deeper in the joint. See Anterior cruciate ligament injury.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

cruciate ligament

1. The ligament of the ankle passing transversely across the dorsum of the foot that holds tendons of the anterior muscle group in place.

2. A cross-shaped ligament of the atlas consisting of the transverse ligament and superior and inferior bands, the former passing upward and attaching to the margin of the foramen magnum, the latter passing downward and attaching to the body of the atlas.

3. Either of two ligaments of the knee, the anterior (from the posterior femur to the anterior tibia), and the posterior (from the anterior femur to posterior tibia). They provide rotary stability for the knee and prevent displacement of the tibia. Synonym: cruciform ligament See: anterior cruciate ligament

Symptoms

A torn cruciate ligament causes instability and pain in the knee. The type of instability depends on which cruciate ligament is damaged.

Treatment

Arthroscopic surgery is usually necessary to repair torn cruciate ligaments. Sometimes open surgery, or arthrotomy, is necessary for particularly complex repairs.

See also: ligament

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