678 Int. J. Morphol., 33(2):678-684, 2015. Anthropometric Landmarks for Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Anatomical Position Referencias Antropométricas para la Reconstrucción del Ligamento Cruzado Posterior en Posición Anatómica Gustavo Adolfo Compeán-Martínez * ; Rodolfo Morales-Avalos * ; Félix Vílchez-Cavazos ** ; Carlos Acosta-Olivo ** ; Oscar Fernando Mendoza-Lemus ** ; Oscar de la Garza-Castro * ; Rodrigo E. Elizondo-Omaña * & Santos Guzmán-López * COMPEÁN-MARTÍNEZ, G. A.; MORALES-AVALOS, R.; VÍLCHEZ-CAVAZOS, F.; ACOSTA-OLIVO, C.; MENDOZA- LEMUS, O. F.; GARZA-CASTRO, O.; ELIZONDO-OMAÑA, R. E. & GUZMÁN-LÓPEZ, S. Anthropometric landmarks for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in anatomical position. Int. J. Morphol., 33(2):678-684, 2015. SUMMARY: To determine viable anatomical landmarks allowing for accurate femoral and tibial tunnel placement in anatomical position during posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. Ten knees were dissected to analyze femoral and tibial PCL insertion measurements and the features specific to the PCL and its fascicles. The clock hands system was used to measure femoral insertions. The meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) were used as landmarks to measure tibial insertions. The PCL and its corresponding fascicle characteristics were determined by its femoral insertion, central portion and tibial insertion. The mean lengths between the central point of the PCL footprint and the articular cartilage border at 12:00 h were 17.23 mm (±3.94) and 17.73 mm (±4.11) for the right and left knees, respectively. The anterior-posterior mean lengths for the PCL were 11.94 mm (±5.08) between the posterior PCL border and the anterior PCL border. The mean lengths were 33.52 mm (±3.49) from the medial border of the lateral meniscus to the lateral PCL border and 32.24 mm (±2.28) from the medial border of the medial meniscus to the medial PCL border. From the anteroposterior viewpoint, the anterolateral fascicle is greater than the posteromedial one in its femoral and tibial insertions and in its central portion. A quantitative data collection summary was conducted with different PCL variables, along with its fascicles and their various femoral and tibial bony landmarks. Various measurements were obtained, indicating the high functionality shared by the PCL fascicles. Lengths reported for insertions are practical landmarks for the locations of femoral and tibial tunnels during posterior cruciate ligament plasty. We must take into account native PCL form to avoid oversizing the graft during reconstruction and to avoid a possible clamping of the graft with the surrounding structures. KEY WORDS: Posterior cruciate ligament; Femoral tunnels; Reconstruction; Anatomy; Landmark. INTRODUCTION The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the ligament of greatest resistance associated with the knee joint. The PCL presents with anterolateral (AL) and posteromedial (PM) fascicles and is named for its femoral insertion. Its insertions cover a greater surface area compared to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insertions (Amis et al., 2003; Kennedy et al., 1976; Marinozzi et al., 1983; Race & Amis, 1994). Those fascicles have multiple functions when the knee is in flexion or extension (Amis et al., 2006). From an anatomical viewpoint, the area covered by the AL fascicle represents 85% of the central part of the femoral condyle (Edwards et al., 2007), which is why the procedure used in PCL reconstruction has involved replacing the PCL with a single bundle. For this procedure, one of the tendons of the ischiotibial muscles is used. However, from a functional point of view, the AL and PM fascicles are considered to contribute equally to joint stability. This functional consideration has had implications in PCL reconstruction procedures. There are currently attempts to simulate PCL biomechanics by utilizing a double bundle, in addition to accurate placement of the femoral and tibial tunnels during the procedure (Apsingi et al., 2009). There is controversy as to whether the PCL reconstruction technique is more appropriately performed using one or two bundles (Apsingi et al; Markolf et al., 2006; Amis et al., 2003). * Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonóma de Nuevo León (U.A.N.L.), Nuevo León, Mexico. ** Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, University Hospital “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Universidad Autonóma de Nuevo León (U.A.N.L.), Nuevo León, Mexico.