Ligaments
Ligaments
Ligaments (pronunciation: /ˈlɪɡəmənt/) are fibrous connective tissues that connect bones to other bones. They are similar to tendons and fasciae as they are all made of collagen.
Etymology
The term "ligament" comes from Latin ligamentum, meaning "a band," and ligare, "to bind or tie."
Function
Ligaments help to stabilize joints and prevent certain movements that could cause injury. They are composed of dense bundles of collagen fibers, which give them their strength and flexibility.
Types of Ligaments
There are several types of ligaments, including:
- Articular Ligaments: These ligaments connect bones in a joint. An example is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee.
- Fibrous Ligaments: These are found in areas where flexibility is less important, such as the skull.
- Elastic Ligaments: These ligaments are more flexible and are found in areas like the spine.
Related Terms
- Tendon: A fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone.
- Fascia: A band or sheet of connective tissue beneath the skin that attaches, stabilizes, encloses, and separates muscles and other internal organs.
- Collagen: The main structural protein in the extracellular space in the various connective tissues in the body.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): A ligament in the knee that crosses from the underside of the femur (the thigh bone) to the top of the tibia (the bigger bone in the lower leg).
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ligaments
- Wikipedia's article - Ligaments
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