Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL): The knee joint is surrounded by a joint capsule with ligaments strapping the inside and outside of the joint (collateral ligaments) as well as crossing within the joint (cruciate ligaments). These ligaments provide stability and strength to the knee joint.

The posterior cruciate ligament (cruciate means shaped like a cross) crosses behind the anterior cruciate ligament within the joint, as indicated here: