The cruciate ligaments are a pair of fibrous bands in the knee joint that connect the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia and fibula (lower leg bones). They play an important role in stabilizing the knee by preventing excessive forward movement of the lower leg. The two cruciate ligaments are the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is located in the front of the knee, and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), which is located in the back of the knee. Together with other stabilizing structures such as the meniscus and collateral ligaments, they help to maintain proper alignment and stability within the joint.