Where does the ACL attach?

Where does the ACL attach?

• A. Medial aspect of femoral medial condyle to posterior intercondylar tibial fossa
• B. Lateral aspect of femoral lateral condyle to anterior intercondylar tibial fossa
• C. Medial aspect of femoral lateral condyle to anterior intercondylar tibial fossa
• D. Lateral aspect of femoral medial condyle to posterior intercondylar tibial fossa

Answer: (C)

The ACL attaches proximally on the medial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle and distally to the anterior intercondylar area of the tibia. This arrangement places the ligament across the knee from back and outside on the femur to the front of the tibia, which is why it resists forward movement of the tibia relative to the femur and helps with rotational stability. Descriptions that place the attachment on the wrong femoral condyle side or on the posterior tibial area do not match the true anatomy.

The ACL attaches proximally on the medial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle and distally to the anterior intercondylar area of the tibia. This arrangement places the ligament across the knee from back and outside on the femur to the front of the tibia, which is why it resists forward movement of the tibia relative to the femur and helps with rotational stability. Descriptions that place the attachment on the wrong femoral condyle side or on the posterior tibial area do not match the true anatomy.