OBJECTIVETo measure anatomical data of the femoral tunnel anatomy reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), so provide anatomical basis for clinical anatomy reconstruction of ACL.

METHODSThere were 30 adults' cadaveric knee specimens. The ACL femoral tunnel was reconstructed through anterior medial approach (AMP) in genuflex position of 120 degree, and was marked by Kirschner. The soft tissue of the specimen was removed and the femoral condyle was split at the middle side. The index including length of the femoral tunnel, the distance from internal opening of tunnel to cortical edge of femoral condyle and vertical distance to the top of femoral intercondylar notch were measured. Then the time position of internal opening of tunnel in the intercondylar notch was recorded, and the location of outside opening of tunnel to the femoral condyle was detected.

RESULTSThe mean length of the femoral tunnel was (36.35 +/- 3.14) mm (ranged, 30.65 to 42.35 mm). The distance from internal opening of tunnel to cortical edge of femoral condyle was (17.84 +/- 3.35) mm (ranged, 14.02 to 23.49 mm), vertical distance to the top of femoral intercondylar notch was (14.05 +/- 2.32) mm (ranged, 9.17 to 20.08 mm). According to the way of circular dial,internal opening of tunnel located at 02:30 +/- 00:10 (ranged, 01:50 to 02:50) in the left knee,and 09:30 +/- 0:15 (ranged, 08:30 to 10:40) in the right knee. The outside opening of femoral tunnel located at (3.16 +/- 2.51) mm (ranged, 1.61 to 6.30 mm) to the proximal end of external epicondyle of femur, and (4.25 +/- 2.16) mm (ranged, 1.73 to 8.52 mm) to the posterior of external epicondyle of femur.

CONCLUSIONThe anatomical features of femoral tunnel for reconstruction of ACL is revealed,which will provide anatomical basis for clinical practice.