The posterior cruciate ligament attaches to which area?

• A. Posterior intercondylar area
• B. Anterior intercondylar area
• C. Intercondylar eminence
• D. Tibial plateau

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the posterior cruciate ligament attaches to a specific part of the tibial top surface: the posterior intercondylar area. This region lies at the back of the tibial plateau between the intercondylar eminences. The PCL runs from this posterior area up to the femur and, functionally, it primarily prevents the tibia from translating posteriorly relative to the thigh when the knee is flexed. This makes the posterior intercondylar area the correct site. The anterior intercondylar area is where the ACL attaches, the intercondylar eminences are the ridges between the condyles, and the tibial plateau refers to the whole top surface—less specific than the posterior intercondylar area.