CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

Which ligaments of the knee joint help stabilize it from the anterior and posterior perspective?

1. Collateral ligaments

2. Cruciate ligaments

3. Patellar ligaments

4. Popliteal ligaments

The correct answer is: Cruciate ligaments

The cruciate ligaments, specifically the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), play a crucial role in stabilizing the knee joint from both the anterior and posterior perspectives. The ACL is responsible for preventing the tibia from moving too far forward relative to the femur, while the PCL prevents the tibia from sliding too far backward. This mutual support helps maintain knee stability during a variety of movements, such as walking, running, and jumping. In contrast, other ligaments serve different functions. The collateral ligaments primarily stabilize the knee in a lateral movement sense. The patellar ligaments are more associated with the extension mechanism of the knee rather than its overall stability in both the anterior-posterior direction. The popliteal ligaments provide some support to the posterior aspect but are not as significant as the cruciate ligaments in terms of anterior-posterior stability. Therefore, the identification of the cruciate ligaments as key stabilizers directly addresses their critical role in maintaining the integrity of knee joint mechanics.