Lower limb
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
Ligamentum cruciatum posterius (PCL)
- Origin
- Anterolateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle within the notch
- Insertion
- Posterior intercondylar area of the tibia, 1 cm below the articular line
- Function
- Strongest knee ligament; primary restraint against posterior tibial displacement (95% total restraint); consists of large anterolateral (AL) and posteromedial (PM) bundles
- Innervation
- Tibial nerve articular branches (L3–S1)
- Movement & chain
- Serves as central rotational axis of the knee; restrains hyperflexion and hyperextension
- Palpation
- Intra-articular, non-palpable
- Clinical
- PCL tear (classic 'dashboard injury' from direct anterior blow to flexed tibia or hyperflexion fall); positive Posterior Drawer test, Posterior Sag sign (Godfrey test).
- Segmental innervation
- L3–S1
- In clinical practice
- Godfrey sag test, dynamic PCL jack-brace, isolated quadriceps strengthening, and avoidance of isolated hamstring curls in early phase
- Region in the model
- Lower limb