title: FEMORAL INSERTION OF THE POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT: AN ANATOMICAL STUDY.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify objective parameters to guide correct location of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in the femur.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PCLs of 20 human cadavers were resected. The following portions were measured: distance from the most distal portion of the PCL, close to the roof, to the most anterior edge of the cartilage (AB); distance from the most proximal portion of the PCL, close to the roof, to the most anterior cartilage (AC); distance between the two parts of the ligament close to the roof (BC); distance from the distal edge in its posterior portion, to the more posterior joint edge (DE); distance from the distal edge of the ligament in its posterior portion, to the intercondylar roof (DF); and finally, the format of the ligament insertion and area of coverage on the femoral condyle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PCL has the shape of a quarter ellipse, with an average area of 153.5mm(2). The mean distances found were: AB of 2.1mm, AC of 10.7mm, BC of 8.6mm DE of 12.4mm and DF of 16.8mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The edge close to the roof of the anterolateral bundle is closer to the joint cartilage (2.1mm) than the posteromedial bundle is, which is 12.4mm from the edge proximal to the cartilage. These references should assist in better and more accurate positioning of femoral tunnels in PCL reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Instructor Professor in the Knee Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (SCMSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Paula Leite Cury
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor and Head of the Knee Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de Misericòrdia de São Paulo (SCMSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nilson Roberto
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Severino
authors.affiliation: Adjunct Professor in the Knee Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de Misericòrdia de São Paulo (SCMSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Osmar Pedro Arbix
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Camargo
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician in the Knee Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de Misericòrdia de São Paulo (SCMSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aihara
authors.affiliation: Trainee Physician in the Knee Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de Misericòrdia de São Paulo (SCMSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leopoldo Viana Batista
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.affiliation: Trainee Physician in the Knee Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de Misericòrdia de São Paulo (SCMSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dedley Nelson
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Goarayeb
keywords: Dissection; Knee; Knee Injuries; Posterior Cruciate Ligament/anatomy & histology