A tough band of tissue connecting bones (eg across joints) or supporting internal organs (eg peritoneal ligaments). Ligaments are generally composed of inextensible collagen arranged in parallel bundles, but some contain a significant amount of elastic tissue, which allows limited movement to occur. When associated with joints they can vary from the thickenings of the joint capsule to substantial extra- or intra-capsular structures, their thickness being directly related to the forces they are required to resist. They act to prevent mechanical disruption at joints, and as sensory organs for the perception of movement and joint position.
In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote three different types of structures:
Fibrous tissue that connects bones (or two different parts of a single bone) A fold of peritoneum or other membrane The remnants of a tubular structure from the fetal period of lifeFibrous ligaments
In its most common use, a ligament is a short band of tough fibrous connective tissue composed mainly of long, stringy collagen fibres. Ligaments connect bones to other bones to form a joint.
Capsular ligaments are part of the articular capsule that surrounds synovial joints. 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.
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. If it is not possible to fix the broken ligament, other procedures such as the Brunelli Procedure can correct the instability.
Peritoneal ligaments
Certain folds of peritoneum are referred to as ligaments.
Remnants of fetal structures
Certain tubular structures from the fetal period are referred to as ligaments after they close up and turn into cord-like structures.
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