The intercruciate band of the human knee - An anatomical and histological study

Thirty cruciate ligaments were retrieved from either cadavers or limbs whic h had been amputated. Each specimen was sectioned and stained to demonstrat e the presence of collagen, nerves and vessels. All 30 specimens contained an interconnecting band of collagen fibres betwe en the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. Vascular structures were present in all specimens and nerve fibres were identified in 26 (86%). We h ave called this structure the 'intercruciate band'. The anterior and poster ior cruciate ligaments should no longer be thought of in isolation, but tog ether as a 'cruciate complex'.