What does the MCL attach to?

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) primarily connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) on the medial side of the knee. One of its important roles is to stabilize the knee, particularly in preventing excessive side-to-side movement.

The MCL does have an anatomical relationship with the meniscus, specifically through the coronary ligaments, which attach the meniscus to the underlying tibia. This relationship is significant as injury to the MCL can often be associated with meniscal tears due to the anatomical proximity and functional interdependence of these structures. Thus, recognizing that the MCL attaches indirectly to the meniscus provides an important understanding of knee stability and injury patterns.

The other options do not represent the correct attachment point of the MCL. The patellar tendon and quadriceps tendon are associated with different structures in the knee, primarily concerning extension and articulation of knee dynamics, while the tibial plateau is more of a surface area of the tibia and is not an attachment point for the MCL itself.