Innervation of the anterior cruciate ligament

The innervation of 21 human anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) obtained at autopsy or during operation was studied by light microscopy. Nerves and nerve endings were found in the synovium and interfascicular connective tissue. The nerves were myelinated and/or unmyelinated and had terminal nerve structures with free nerve endings which provide nociception and supply the blood vessels, Ruffini corpuscles and Pacini corpuscles, which are mechanoreceptors in the ligaments.