Ligament - wikipedia Ligament Ligament Diagram of the right knee. Typical joint Details Identifiers Latin Ligamentum ( Plural : Ligamenta ) TA A03. 0.00. 034 FMA 21496, 30319 70773, 21496, 30319 Anatomical terminology ( edit on Wikidata ) In anatomy, a ligament is the fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, 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 fetal tubular structure. 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 connective tissue. The differences in them are in the connections that they make : ligaments connect one bone to another bone, tendons connect muscle to bone, and fasciae connect muscles to other muscles. These are all found in the skeletal system of the human body. Ligaments can not usually be regenerated naturally ; however, there are periodontal ligament stem cells located near the periodontal ligament which are involved in the adult regeneration of periodontal ligament. Contents 1 Articular ligaments 1.1 Artificial ligaments 1.2 Examples 2 Peritoneal ligaments 3 Fetal remnant ligaments 4 See also 5 References Articular ligaments `` Ligament '' most commonly refers to a band of dense regular connective tissue bundles made of collagenous fibers, with bundles protected by dense irregular connective tissue sheaths. Ligaments connect bones to other bones to form joints, while tendons connect bone to muscle. 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, also provide stability but permit a far larger range of motion. Cruciate ligaments are paired ligaments in the form of a cross. Ligaments are viscoelastic. They gradually strain when under tension, and return to their original shape when the tension is removed. However, they can not retain their original shape when extended 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. Athletes, gymnasts, dancers, and martial artists perform stretching exercises to lengthen their ligaments, making their joints more supple. The term hypermobility refers to people with more - elastic ligaments, allowing their joints to stretch and contort further ; this is sometimes still called double - jointedness. 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. Artificial ligaments One of the most often torn ligaments in the body is the anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL ). The ACL is one of the ligaments crucial to knee stability and persons who tear their ACL often seek to undergo reconstructive surgery, which can be done through a variety of techniques and materials. One of these techniques is the replacement of the ligament with an artificial material. An artificial ligament is a reinforcing material that is used to replace a torn ligament, such as the ACL. Artificial ligaments are a synthetic material composed of a polymer, such as polyacrylonitrile fiber, polypropylene, PET ( polyethylene terephthalate ), or polyNaSS poly ( sodium styrene sulfonate ). Examples 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 Wrist Palmar radiocarpal ligament Dorsal radiocarpal ligament Ulnar collateral ligament Radial collateral ligament Knee Anterior cruciate ligament Lateral collateral ligament Posterior cruciate ligament Medial collateral ligament Cranial cruciate ligament -- quadruped equivalent of anterior cruciate ligament Caudal cruciate ligament -- quadruped equivalent of posterior cruciate ligament Patellar ligament Peritoneal ligaments 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 Certain tubular structures from the fetal period are referred to as ligaments after they close up and turn into cord - like structures : 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 Broström procedure References 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 ) Jump up ^ `` ligament '' at Dorland 's Medical Dictionary Jump up ^ Daniel John Cunningham ( 1918 ). Cunningham 's text - book of anatomy ( 5th ed. ). Oxford Press. p. 1593. Jump up ^ Lessim S, Migonney V, Thoreux P, Lutomski D, Changotade S. ( June 2013 ). `` PolyNaSS bioactivation of LARS artificial ligament promotes human ligament fibroblast colonisation in vitro ''. Biomed Mater Eng. 23 ( 4 ) : 289 -- 297. PMID 23798650. doi : 10.3233 / BME - 130753. CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter ( link ) Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ligaments. Joints Types Fibrous Gomphosis Suture Syndesmosis Interosseous membrane Cartilaginous Synchondrosis Symphysis synovial : Plane joint 1 ° Hinge joint Pivot joint 2 ° Condyloid joint Saddle joint 3 ° Ball and socket joint synostosis by range of motion : Synarthrosis Amphiarthrosis Diarthrosis Terminology Kinesiology Anatomical terms of motion Agonist / Antagonist 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 Components capsular : Joint capsule Synovial membrane Fibrous membrane Synovial fluid Synovial bursa Articular disk / Meniscus extracapsular : Ligament Enthesis Joints and ligaments of the head and neck Temporomandibular Capsule Articular disk Lateral Temporomandibular ligament Medial Sphenomandibular ligament Stylomandibular ligament Atlanto - occipital capsule membranes ( anterior atlantoöccipital membrane posterior atlantoöccipital membrane ) Joints and ligaments of the arm Shoulder Sternoclavicular Anterior sternoclavicular Posterior sternoclavicular Interclavicular Costoclavicular Acromioclavicular Syndesmoses : Coracoacromial Superior transverse scapular Inferior transverse of scapula Synovial : Acromioclavicular Coracoclavicular ( trapezoid conoid ) Glenohumeral Capsule Coracohumeral Glenohumeral ( superior, middle, and inferior ) Transverse humeral Glenoid labrum Elbow Humeroradial Radial collateral Humeroulnar Ulnar collateral Proximal radioulnar Anular Oblique cord Quadrate Forearm Distal radioulnar Palmar radioulnar Dorsal radioulnar Interosseous membrane of forearm Hand Wrist / radiocarpal Dorsal radiocarpal / Palmar radiocarpal Dorsal ulnocarpal / Palmar ulnocarpal Ulnar collateral / Radial collateral Intercarpal Midcarpal Radiate carpal Dorsal intercarpal Palmar intercarpal Interosseous intercarpal Scapholunate Pisiform joint ( Pisohamate Pisometacarpal ) Carpometacarpal Dorsal carpometacarpal Palmar carpometacarpal thumb : Radial collateral Ulnar collateral Intermetacarpal Deep transverse metacarpal Superficial transverse metacarpal Metacarpophalangeal Collateral Palmar Interphalangeal Collateral Palmar Other Carpal tunnel Ulnar canal Joints and ligaments of torso Vertebral Syndesmosis Of vertebral bodies anterior longitudinal ligament posterior longitudinal ligament Of vertebral arches ligamenta flava supraspinous ligament nuchal ligament interspinous ligament intertransverse ligament Symphysis intervertebral disc ( anulus fibrosus nucleus pulposus ) Synovial joint Atlanto - axial Medial : Cruciate ligament of atlas ( Transverse ligament of atlas ) Alar ligament Apical ligament of dens Tectorial membrane of atlanto - axial joint Lateral : no ligaments anterior atlantoaxial ligament posterior atlantoaxial ligament Zygapophysial no ligaments Lumbosacral iliolumbar ligament Sacrococcygeal anterior sacrococcygeal ligament posterior sacrococcygeal ligament Thorax Costovertebral Head of rib Radiate ligament Intra-articular ligament Costotransverse Costotransverse ligament Lumbocostal ligament Sternocostal interarticular sternocostal ligament radiate sternocostal ligaments costoxiphoid ligaments Interchondral no ligaments Costochondral no ligaments Pelvis Syndesmoses of pelvic girdle Obturator membrane Obturator canal Pubic symphysis superior pubic ligament inferior pubic ligament Sacroiliac anterior sacroiliac ligament posterior sacroiliac ligament interosseous sacroiliac ligament ligaments connecting the sacrum and ischium : sacrotuberous ligament sacrospinous ligament Joints and ligaments of the human leg Hip femoral ( iliofemoral pubofemoral ischiofemoral ) head of femur transverse acetabular acetabular labrum capsule zona orbicularis Knee Tibiofemoral Capsule Anterior meniscofemoral ligament Posterior meniscofemoral ligament extracapsular : popliteal oblique arcuate collateral medial / tibial fibular / lateral intracapsular : cruciate anterior posterior menisci medial lateral transverse anterolateral Patellofemoral Patellar ligament Infrapatellar fat pad Tibiofibular Superior tibiofibular anterior of the head of the fibula posterior of the head of the fibula Inferior tibiofibular Anterior tibiofibular Posterior tibiofibular Interosseous membrane of leg Foot Talocrural and ankle medial : medial of talocrural joint / deltoid anterior tibiotalar posterior tibiotalar tibiocalcaneal tibionavicular lateral : lateral collateral of ankle joint anterior talofibular posterior talofibular calcaneofibular Subtalar / talocalcaneal anterior / posterior lateral / medial interosseous Transverse tarsal Talocalcaneonavicular dorsal talonavicular plantar calcaneonavicular / spring bifurcated ( calcaneonavicular ) Calcaneocuboid dorsal calcaneocuboid long plantar plantar calcaneocuboid bifurcated ( calcaneocuboid ) Distal intertarsal Cuneonavicular plantar dorsal Cuboideonavicular plantar dorsal Intercuneiform plantar dorsal interosseous Other Tarsometatarsal / Lisfranc plantar dorsal Intermetatarsal / metatarsal plantar dorsal interosseous superficial transverse deep transverse Metatarsophalangeal plantar collateral Interphalangeal plantar collateral Arches Longitudinal Transverse Anatomy of the peritoneum and mesentery General Peritoneum Mesentery Abdominal From ventral mesentery 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 ) From dorsal mesentery Greater omentum Gastrophrenic ligament Gastrocolic ligament Gastrosplenic ligament Mesentery Splenorenal ligament Phrenicocolic ligament Folds Umbilical folds Supravesical fossa Medial inguinal fossa Lateral umbilical fold Lateral inguinal fossa Ileocecal fold Abdominal cavity Greater sac Lesser sac Omental foramen General Cystohepatic triangle Hepatorenal recess of subhepatic space Abdominal wall Inguinal triangle Peritoneal recesses Paracolic gutters Paramesenteric gutters Pelvic Uterus / ovaries Broad ligament of the uterus Mesovarium Mesosalpinx Mesometrium ) Ovarian ligament Suspensory ligament of ovary Recesses Male Recto - vesical pouch Pararectal fossa Female Recto - uterine pouch Recto - uterine fold ( Uterosacral ligament ) Vesico - uterine pouch Ovarian fossa Paravesical fossa Retroperitonium Spaces Extraperitoneal space Retroperitoneal space Retropubic space Fetal vascular remnant ligaments Heart Ligamentum arteriosum Liver Round ligament of liver Ligamentum venosum Umbilical Medial umbilical ligament see also Median umbilical ligament and Lateral umbilical fold Connective tissue Physiology Soft tissue Fibrosis Scarring Composition Cells Resident Fibroblast Fibrocyte Reticular cell Tendon cell Adipocyte Melanocyte Wandering cells Mast cell Macrophage Extracellular matrix Ground substance Tissue fluid Fibers Collagen fibers Reticular fibers COL3A1 Elastic fibers Elastin Fibrillin FBN1 FBN2 FBN3 EMILIN1 Elaunin Classification Proper Loose Reticular Adipose Brown White Dense Dense irregular connective tissue Submucosa Dermis Dense regular connective tissue Ligament Tendon Aponeurosis Embryonic Mucoid Mesenchymal Specialized Cartilage Bone Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ligament&oldid=796503496 '' Categories : Soft tissue Skeletal system Ligaments Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter Articles containing Ancient Greek - language text All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from November 2010 Articles with unsourced statements from February 2017 Articles needing additional references from October 2010 All articles needing additional references Talk Contents About Wikipedia বাংলা Bosanski Brezhoneg Català Čeština Cymraeg Dansk Deutsch Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français Gaeilge Galego 한국어 हिन्दी Ido Interlingua Italiano עברית Kreyòl ayisyen Latina Latviešu Lietuvių മലയാളം Bahasa Melayu Nederlands नेपाल भाषा 日本 語 Norsk Occitan Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча Plattdüütsch Polski Português Русский Shqip Simple English Slovenčina Slovenščina کوردی Suomi Svenska తెలుగు ไทย Українська اردو Walon 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 21 August 2017, at 08 : 34. 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Question: dense cord like tissues that attach muscles to bones
Answer: ligament