Ligament |
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Diagram of the right knee. |
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Typical joint |
Latin |
Ligamentum (Plural: Ligamenta) |
In anatomy, a ligament is the fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua,[1] fibrous ligament, or true ligament.
Ligament can also refer to:
- Peritoneal ligament: a fold of peritoneum or other membranes.
- Fetal remnant ligament: the remnants of a tubular structure from the fetal period of life.
- Periodontal ligament: a group of fibers that attach the cementum of teeth to the surrounding alveolar bone.
The study of ligaments is known as desmology (from Greek δεσμός, desmos, "bond"; and -λογία, -logia).
Ligaments are similar to tendons and fasciae as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, tendons join muscle to bone and fasciae connect muscles to other muscles. These are all found in the skeletal system of the human body.
Contents
- 1 Articular ligaments
- 2 Peritoneal ligaments
- 3 Fetal remnant ligaments
- 4 See also
- 5 References
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Articular ligaments[edit]
"Ligament" most commonly refers to a band of tough, fibrous dense regular connective tissue bundles, comprising attenuated collagenous fibers; with said bundles protected by dense irregular connective tissue sheaths. Ligaments connect bones to other bones to form a joint. They do not connect muscles to bones; that is the job of tendons. Some ligaments limit the mobility of articulations, or prevent certain movements altogether.
Capsular ligaments are part of the articular capsule that surrounds synovial joints. They act as mechanical reinforcements. Extra-capsular ligaments join together in harmony with the other ligaments and provide joint stability. Intra-capsular ligaments, which are much less common,[citation needed] also provide stability but permit a far larger range of motion. Cruciate ligaments occur in pairs of three.
Ligaments are viscoelastic. They gradually shrink when under tension, and return to their original shape when the tension is removed. However, they cannot retain their original shape when compassed past a certain point or for a prolonged period of time. This is one reason why dislocated joints must be set as quickly as possible: if the ligaments lengthen too much, then the joint will be weakened, becoming prone to future dislocations.[citation needed] Athletes, gymnasts, dancers, and martial artists perform stretching exercises to lengthen their ligaments, making their joints more supple.
The term "double-jointed" refers to people with more-elastic ligaments, allowing their joints to stretch and contort further. The medical term for describing such double-jointed persons is hyperlaxity.
The consequence of a broken ligament can be instability of the joint. Not all broken ligaments need surgery, but, if surgery is needed to stabilise the joint, the broken ligament can be repaired. Scar tissue may prevent this. If it is not possible to fix the broken ligament, other procedures such as the Brunelli procedure can correct the instability. Instability of a joint can over time lead to wear of the cartilage and eventually to osteoarthritis.
Examples[edit]
- Head and neck
- Cricothyroid ligament
- Periodontal ligament
- Suspensory ligament of the lens
- Thorax
- Suspensory ligament of the breast
- Pelvis
- Anterior sacroiliac ligament
- Posterior sacroiliac ligament
- Sacrotuberous ligament
- Sacrospinous ligament
- Inferior pubic ligament
- Superior pubic ligament
- Suspensory ligament of the penis
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- Wrist
- Palmar radiocarpal ligament
- Dorsal radiocarpal ligament
- Ulnar collateral ligament
- Radial collateral ligament
- Knee
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
- Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) - quadruped equivalent of ACL
- Caudal cruciate ligament (CaCL) - quadruped equivalent of PCL
- Patellar ligament
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Peritoneal ligaments[edit]
Certain folds of peritoneum are referred to as ligaments. Examples include:
- The hepatoduodenal ligament, that surrounds the hepatic portal vein and other vessels as they travel from the duodenum to the liver.
- The broad ligament of the uterus, also a fold of peritoneum.
Fetal remnant ligaments[edit]
Certain tubular structures from the fetal period are referred to as ligaments after they close up and turn into cord-like structures:[citation needed]
Fetal |
Adult |
ductus arteriosus |
ligamentum arteriosum |
extra-hepatic portion of the fetal left umbilical vein |
ligamentum teres hepatis (the "round ligament of the liver"). |
intra-hepatic portion of the fetal left umbilical vein (the ductus venosus) |
ligamentum venosum |
distal portions of the fetal left and right umbilical arteries |
medial umbilical ligaments |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2010) |
- ^ "ligament" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
Joints (TA A03.0, TH H3.02, GA 3.284)
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Types |
- fibrous: Gomphosis
- Suture
- Syndesmosis
- Interosseous membrane
- cartilaginous: Synchondrosis
- Symphysis
- synovial: Plane joint
- 1°
- 2°
- Condyloid joint
- Saddle joint
- 3°
- by range of motion: Synarthrosis
- Amphiarthrosis
- Diarthrosis
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Terminology |
- Kinesiology
- Anatomical terms of motion
- Agonist/Antagonist
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Motions |
- general: Flexion/Extension
- Adduction/Abduction
- Internal rotation/External rotation
- Elevation/Depression
- specialized/upper limbs: Protraction/Retraction
- Supination/Pronation
- specialized/lower limbs: Plantarflexion/Dorsiflexion
- Eversion/Inversion
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Components |
- capsular: Articular capsule
- Synovial membrane
- Fibrous membrane
- Synovial fluid
- Synovial bursa
- Articular disk/Meniscus
- extracapsular: Ligament
- Enthesis
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noco (arth/defr/back/soft)/cong, sysi/epon, injr
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Joints and ligaments of head and neck (TA A03.1.03–08, GA 3.287)
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Temporomandibular |
- Lateral
- Temporomandibular ligament
- Medial
- Sphenomandibular ligament
- Stylomandibular ligament
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Atlanto-occipital |
- capsule
- membranes (anterior atlantoöccipital membrane
- posterior atlantoöccipital membrane)
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noco (arth/defr/back/soft)/cong, sysi/epon, injr
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Joints and ligaments of upper limbs (TA A03.5, GA 3.313)
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Shoulder |
Sternoclavicular
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- Anterior sternoclavicular
- Posterior sternoclavicular
- Interclavicular
- Costoclavicular
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Acromioclavicular
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- Syndesmoses: Coracoacromial
- Superior transverse scapular
- Inferior transverse of scapula
Synovial: Acromioclavicular
- Coracoclavicular (trapezoid
- conoid)
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Glenohumeral
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- Capsule
- Coracohumeral
- Glenohumeral (superior, middle, and inferior)
- Transverse humeral
- Glenoid labrum
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Elbow |
Humeroradial
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Humeroulnar
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Proximal radioulnar
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- Anular
- Oblique cord
- Quadrate
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Forearm |
Distal radioulnar
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- Palmar radioulnar
- Dorsal radioulnar
- Interosseous membrane of forearm
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Hand |
Wrist/radiocarpal
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- Dorsal radiocarpal/Palmar radiocarpal
- Dorsal ulnocarpal/Palmar ulnocarpal
- Ulnar collateral/Radial collateral
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- Radiate carpal
- Dorsal intercarpal
- Palmar intercarpal
- Interosseous intercarpal
- Scapholunate
- Pisiform joint (Pisohamate
- Pisometacarpal)
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Carpometacarpal
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- Dorsal carpometacarpal
- Palmar carpometacarpal
- thumb: Radial collateral
- Ulnar collateral
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Intermetacarpal
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- Deep transverse metacarpal
- Superficial transverse metacarpal
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Metacarpophalangeal
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Interphalangeal
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Other
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- Carpal tunnel
- Ulnar canal
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noco (arth/defr/back/soft)/cong, sysi/epon, injr
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Joints and ligaments of torso (TA A03.02–04, GA 3.299)
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Vertebral |
Syndesmosis
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Of vertebral bodies
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- anterior longitudinal ligament
- posterior longitudinal ligament
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Of vertebral arches
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- ligamenta flava
- supraspinous ligament (nuchal ligament)
- interspinal ligament
- intertransverse ligament
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Symphysis
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- intervertebral disc (annulus fibrosus
- nucleus pulposus)
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Synovial joint
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Atlanto-axial
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- median: Cruciate ligament of atlas (Transverse ligament of atlas)
- Alar ligament
- Apical ligament of dens
- Tectorial membrane of atlanto-axial joint
- anterior atlantoaxial ligament
- posterior atlantoaxial ligament
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Zygapophysial
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Lumbosacral
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Sacrococcygeal
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- anterior sacrococcygeal ligament
- posterior sacrococcygeal ligament
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Thorax |
Costovertebral
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Head of rib
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- Radiate ligament
- Intra-articular ligament
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Costotransverse
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- Costotransverse ligament
- Lumbocostal ligament
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Sternocostal
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- interarticular sternocostal ligament
- radiate sternocostal ligaments
- costoxiphoid ligaments
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Interchondral
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Costochondral
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Pelvis |
Syndesmoses of pelvic girdle
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- Obturator membrane
- Obturator canal
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Pubic symphysis
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- superior pubic ligament
- inferior pubic ligament
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Sacroiliac
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- anterior sacroiliac ligament
- posterior sacroiliac ligament
- interosseous sacroiliac ligament
- ligaments connecting the sacrum and ischium: sacrotuberous ligament
- sacrospinous ligament
- Greater sciatic foramen
- Lesser sciatic foramen
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noco (arth/defr/back/soft)/cong, sysi/epon, injr
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Joints and ligaments of lower limbs (TA A03.6, GA 3.333)
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Coxal/hip |
- femoral (iliofemoral
- pubofemoral
- ischiofemoral)
- head of femur
- transverse acetabular
- acetabular labrum
- capsule
- zona orbicularis
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Knee-joint |
Tibiofemoral
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- Capsule
- Anterior meniscofemoral ligament
- Posterior meniscofemoral ligament>
- extracapsular: popliteal
- collateral
- medial/tibial
- fibular/lateral
- intracapsular: cruciate
- menisci
- transverse
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Patellofemoral
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- Patellar ligament
- Infrapatellar fat pad
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Tibiofibular |
Superior tibiofibular
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- anterior of the head of the fibula
- posterior of the head of the fibula
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Inferior tibiofibular
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- Anterior tibiofibular
- Posterior tibiofibular
- Interosseous membrane of leg
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Joints of foot |
Talocrural/ankle
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- medial: medial of talocrural joint/deltoid
- anterior tibiotalar
- posterior tibiotalar
- tibiocalcaneal
- tibionavicular
- lateral: lateral collateral of ankle joint
- anterior talofibular
- posterior talofibular
- calcaneofibular
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Subtalar/talocalcaneal
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- anterior/posterior
- lateral/medial
- interosseous
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Transverse tarsal
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Talocalcaneonavicular
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- dorsal talonavicular
- plantar calcaneonavicular/spring
- bifurcated (calcaneonavicular)
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Calcaneocuboid
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- dorsal calcaneocuboid
- long plantar
- plantar calcaneocuboid
- bifurcated (calcaneocuboid)
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Distal intertarsal
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Cuneonavicular
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Cuboideonavicular
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Intercuneiform
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- plantar
- dorsal
- interosseous
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Other
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Tarsometatarsal/Lisfranc
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Intermetatarsal/metatarsal
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- plantar
- dorsal
- interosseous
- superficial transverse
- deep transverse
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Metatarsophalangeal
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Interphalangeal
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Arches
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noco (arth/defr/back/soft)/cong, sysi/epon, injr
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Abdominopelvic cavity: Abdomen/Abdominal cavity and Pelvis/Pelvic cavity and Peritoneal cavity (TA A10, TH H3.04.08, GA 4.408 and GA 11.1147)
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Extraperitoneal space |
- Retroperitoneal space
- Retropubic space
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Peritoneal ligaments,
mesenteries, and folds |
Abdominal
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From ventral mesentery
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- Lesser omentum: Hepatoduodenal ligament
- Hepatogastric ligament
- Liver: Coronary ligament (Left triangular ligament
- Right triangular ligament
- Hepatorenal ligament)
- Falciform ligament (Round ligament of liver and Ligamentum venosum in it, but not of it)
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From dorsal mesentery
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- Greater omentum: Gastrophrenic ligament
- Gastrocolic ligament
- Gastrosplenic ligament
- Mesentery: Transverse mesocolon
- Sigmoid mesocolon
- Mesoappendix
- Root of the mesentery
- Splenorenal ligament
- Phrenicocolic ligament
- Folds: Umbilical folds (Supravesical fossa, Medial inguinal fossa, Lateral umbilical fold, Lateral inguinal fossa)
- Ileocecal fold
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Abdominal cavity
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- Greater sac
- Omental bursa
- Omental foramen
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General
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- Cystohepatic triangle
- Hepatorenal recess of subhepatic space
- Abdominal wall (Inguinal triangle)
- Peritoneal recesses: Paracolic gutters
- Paramesenteric gutters
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Urogenital peritoneum
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Uterus/ovaries
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- Broad ligament of the uterus (Mesovarium, Mesosalpinx, Mesometrium)
- Ovarian ligament
- Suspensory ligament of the ovary
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Recesses
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- ♂: Recto-vesical pouch
- Pararectal fossa
- ♀: Recto-uterine pouch
- Recto-uterine fold (Uterosacral ligament)
- Vesico-uterine pouch
- Ovarian fossa
- Paravesical fossa
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anat (t, g, p)/phys/devp/enzy
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noco/cong/tumr, sysi/epon
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proc, drug (A2A/2B/3/4/5/6/7/14/16), blte
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Fetal vascular remnant ligaments (GA 6)
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Heart |
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Liver |
- Round ligament of liver
- Ligamentum venosum
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Umbilical |
- Medial umbilical ligament
- see also Median umbilical ligament and Lateral umbilical fold
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Connective Tissue (TH H2.00.03)
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Physiology |
- Soft tissue
- Fibrosis
- Scarring
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Classification |
Connective tissue proper |
Loose |
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Dense |
- Dense irregular connective tissue
- Dense regular connective tissue
- Ligament
- Tendon
- Aponeurosis
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Embryonic |
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Specialized |
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Composition (Histology) |
Cells |
Resident |
- Fibroblast
- Fibrocyte
- Reticular cell
- Tendon cell
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Wandering
cell |
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Extracellular
matrix
(noncellular) |
Ground substance |
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Fibers |
- Elastic fibers: Elastin
- Fibrillin
- EMILIN1
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See also: Template:Soft tissue tumors and sarcomas
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noco (i/b/d/q/u/r/p/m/k/v/f)/cong/tumr (n/e/d), sysi/epon
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proc, drug (D2/3/4/5/8/11)
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anat (h/n, u, t/d, a/p, l)/phys/devp/hist
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noco (m, s, c)/cong (d)/tumr, sysi/epon, injr
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