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

The red cards shown to Raul Asencio and Rodrygo, who has since suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear, left Madrid shorthanded for the ‘punishment’ round, which was avoided by all but one of the Premier League clubs after five of them finished in the top eight. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

Late in the fourth quarter of a lopsided loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17, the two-time Pro Bowler tore his anterior cruciate ligament, patella tendon and meniscus in his right knee. —Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

Leger-Walker played her first four seasons at Washington State but tore her anterior cruciate ligament midway through her senior year. —Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026

For instance, Wisconsin lost projected starting left tackle Kevin Heywood to a torn anterior cruciate ligament at spring practice last year. —Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 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