Final answer:
The cruciate ligaments, consisting of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament, attach the femur to the tibia and are key to the stability of the knee joint. Option A is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cruciate ligaments are important structures within the knee joint. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments attach the femur to the tibia. These intracapsular ligaments span between the tibia and the inner aspects of the femoral condyles.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) resists hyperextension of the knee by becoming tight when the knee is extended. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) prevents anterior sliding of the femur on the tibia, thus supporting the knee when it is flexed and weight bearing.
Specifically, the ACL runs from the anterior tibia, diagonally up to the inner aspect of the lateral femoral condyle, while the PCL runs from the posterior tibia, diagonally up to the inner aspect of the medial femoral condyle.
The cruciate ligament attaches the femur and the tibia. There are two cruciate ligaments in the knee joint: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The ACL prevents hyperextension of the knee, while the PCL prevents the femur from sliding anteriorly off the top of the tibia. Together, they provide stability to the knee joint.