Comprehension: Cruciate Ligaments of Knee
Two sagittal MRI images depict the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. Note that the anterior cruciate ligament runs in a superior and posterior direction from the tibia. The posterior cruciate ligament, on the other hand, runs in a superior and anterior direction from the tibia (at its most posterior aspect). The quadriceps femoris tendon as well as the patellar ligament are clearly seen as dark shadows superior and inferior to the patella. Tendons in general have very little signal with MRI and make dark shadows, in contrast to the gray shadow representing the cartilage around the intercondylar groove. The cartilage at the posterior aspect of the patella is also gray (same MR signal as produced by the articular cartilage of the femur).
