ligaments

ligaments

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Ligaments connect bone to bone. In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote three different types of structures:[1]

Fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones. They are sometimes
called "articular ligaments"[2], "fibrous ligaments", or "true
ligaments".
A fold of peritoneum or other membrane
The remnants of a tubular structure from the fetal period of life
The first meaning is most commonly what is meant by the term "ligament".
After briefly discussing the other two types of ligaments, the
remainder of this article will focus upon the first type.

Peritoneal ligaments
Certain folds of peritoneum are referred to as ligaments.

Examples include:

The hepatoduodenal ligament surrounds the hepatic portal vein and other vessels as they travel from the duodenum to the liver.
The broad ligament of the uterus is also a fold of peritoneum.
The suspensory ligament of the ovary

Articular ligaments

Diagrammatic section of a symphysis.In its most common use, a ligament
is a short band of tough fibrous dense regular connective tissue
composed mainly of long, stringy collagen fibers. Ligaments connect
bones to other bones to form a joint. (They do not connect muscles to
bones; that is the function 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 bones together and provide joint stability.

Ligaments are only elastic; when under tension, they gradually lengthen.
(Unlike tendons which are inelastic). 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. 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 who have more
elastic ligaments, allowing their joints to stretch and contort further.
The medical term for describing such double-jointed persons is
hyperlaxity and double-jointed is a synonym of hyperlax.

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 joined. 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:

[ 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

[ Head and neck
Cricothyroid ligament
Periodontal ligament
Suspensory ligament of the lens

[ Pelvis
Anterior sacroiliac ligament
Posterior sacroiliac ligament
Sacrotuberous ligament
Sacrospinous ligament
Inferior pubic ligament
Superior pubic ligament
Suspensory ligament of the penis

[ Thorax
Suspensory ligament of the breast

[ Wrist