anterior cruciate ligament

noun

: a cruciate ligament of each knee that attaches the front of the tibia with the back of the femur and functions especially to prevent hyperextension of the knee and is subject to injury especially by tearing

called also ACL

Examples of anterior cruciate ligament in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Diggs’ presence also could help a Packers defense that has struggled ever since Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a 34-26 loss at Denver that started the four-game skid to end Green Bay’s regular season. —Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026

Defensive ends Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams were lost to anterior cruciate ligament tears long ago. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig has undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery on his left knee. —CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026

Suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury on his debut in the Carabao Cup against Southampton. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

anterior cruciate ligament

noun

: a cruciate ligament of each knee that is attached in front to the more medial aspect of the tibia, that passes upward, backward, and laterally through the middle of the knee crossing the posterior cruciate ligament to attach to the femur, that functions to prevent hyperextension of the knee and to keep the tibia from sliding forward in relation to the femur, and that is subject to sports injury especially by tearing

called also ACL