Ligaments are described as strong tensile bands which are often associated with joints. They provide varying degrees of stability depending upon location and function required. Ligaments are composed of collagen bundles as well as varying amounts of elastic fibers. This combination of collagen and elastin materials is referred to as dense connective tissue. These ligamentous fibers tend to run parallel to each other thereby creating high levels of strength with minimum levels of stretching.
Ligaments work cooperatively as a unit to provide stability and smooth motion of joints.
A good example of this is the knee. Knee structure and components that function cooperatively to achieve movement are complex. Movement occurs two ways. The rotational component is the area most susceptable to injury. The knee functions smoothly only when the two movements are perfectly synchronized.