Notes anterior longitudinal ligament a ligament that courses from superior to inferior along the anterior surfacesa of all vertebral bodies it lies directly posterior to the thoracic and abdominal viscera interspinous ligament a ligament that connects the spinous processes of two adjacent vertebra a syndesmosis intervertebral disc a fibrocartilaginous disk between adjacent vertebral bodies a symphysis; it is composed of two parts: an outer anulus fibrosus and an inner nucleus pulposus; the nucleus pulposus is the remnant of the notochord; the intervertebral disks are important shock absorbers between vertebrae ligamenta flava a ligament formed predominantly by elastic fibers which joins the laminae of adjacent vertebrae a syndesmosis; paired; the ligamentum flavum is penetrated by the needle during spinal tap; the word flavum is derived from the Latin word flavus, which means "yellow" - a reference to the predominance of yellow elastic fibers which gives this ligament its grossly visible color nuchal ligament a midline ligament that extends posteriorly from the spinous processes of cervical vertebrae and extends from the base of the skull to the 7th

 cervical vertebra a syndesmosis; it provides muscle attachments to the cervical spinous processes without the necessity of long spinous processes that would hinder extension of the neck posterior longitudinal ligament a ligament that courses from superior to inferior along the posterior surfaces of all vertebral bodies it is broader at the intervertebral disks and narrow at the vertebral bodies which gives it a scalloped edge; it is located in the vertebral canal; it is NOT penetrated by the needle during spinal tap supraspinous ligament a ligament that connects the tips of the spinous processes of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae a syndesmosis; the supraspinous ligament begins at the C7 vertebra and ends at the mid-sacral segmental level; it serves as a muscle attachment site zygapophyseal joint a small joint between the articular processes of adjacent vertebrae a synovial plane joint acromioclavicular joint the joint between the distal end of the clavicle and the acromion of the scapula a plane synovial joint; the shape of the articulation encourages the acromion to slide inferior to the clavicle during dislocation (shoulder separation)

 a condition that occurs when the coracoclavicular ligament is torn; a small articular disk occurs within this joint capsule annular ligament the ligament that encircles the head of the radius it forms 4/5 of a circle - the radial notch of the ulna forms the other 1/5; it attaches to the margins of the radial notch; it holds the head of the radius against the ulna and cups in distal to the head to provide restraint against distal dislocation of the radius carpometacarpal joint, finger the articulation between the distal carpal bones and the proximal ends of the metacarpal bones of the hand a synovial plane joint; limited motion is permitted at the carpometacarpal joint; the carpometacarpal joint is reinforced by dorsal and palmar ligaments carpometacarpal joint, thumb the articulation between the trapezium and the proximal end of the metacarpal bone of the thumb a synovial saddle (sellar) joint; this articulation permits two planes of motion: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction which may be combined to produce circumduction coracoacromial ligament the ligament that connects the

 coracoid process to the acromion of the scapula it passes superior to both the head of the humerus and the supraspinatus tendon; it provides support for the head of the humerus that prevents superior dislocation coracoclavicular joint the joint between the coracoid process of the scapula and the inferior surface of the lateral portion of the clavicle a syndesmosis; this joint provides stability to the acromioclavicular joint coracoclavicular ligament the ligament that connects the upper surface of the coracoid process to the under surface of the clavicle it has two parts: conoid ligament (posteromedial part) and trapezoid ligament; tearing of the coracoclavicular ligament permits the acromion to move inferior to the distal end of the clavicle (shoulder separation), a condition which could result from a fall on the point of the shoulder costoclavicular ligament a ligament that attaches the clavicle to the first rib it resists superior displacement of the proximal end of the clavicle; the combined effect of this ligament, the sternoclavicular ligament and the interclavicular lig

ament is to produce a very strong sternoclavicular joint that seldom dislocates elbow joint the joint between the distal humerus and the proximal radius and ulna a synovial hinge joint; the elbow joint is a complex joint consisting of humeroradial, humeroulnar and proximal radioulnar articulations all within a common articular capsule; it is strengthened by the ulnar and radial collateral ligaments glenohumeral ligament, inferior a ligament reinforcing the anterior wall of the capsule of the glenohumeral joint it connects the humerus to the scapula; a thickening of the anteroinferior shoulder joint capsule glenohumeral ligament, middle a ligament reinforcing the anterior wall of the capsule of the glenohumeral joint it connects the humerus to the scapula; a thickening of the anterior shoulder joint capsule glenohumeral ligament, superior a ligament reinforcing the anterior wall of the capsule of the glenohumeral joint it connects the humerus to the scapula; a thickening of the anterosuperior shoulder joint capsule intercarpal ligaments, dorsal a series of short ligaments that connect adjacent car

pal bones on their dorsal aspects intercarpal ligaments reinforce the articular capsule of the intercarpal joints; they prevent excessive movement of these synovial plane joints intercarpal ligaments, palmar a series of short ligaments that connect adjacent carpal bones on their ventral aspects intercarpal ligaments reinforce the articular capsule of the intercarpal joints; they prevent excessive movement of these synovial plane joints interclavicular ligament a ligament that reinforces the capsule of the sternoclavicular joint it spans the superior surface of the sternoclavicular joint and manubrium of the sternum; the combined effect of this ligament, the sternoclavicular ligament and the costoclavicular ligament is to produce a very strong sternoclavicular joint that seldom dislocates intermetacarpal joint the articulation between the adjacent sides of the proximal ends of metacarpal bones 2-5 a synovial plane joint; limited motion is possible between at the carpometacarpal joints or between adjacent metacarpal bones interosseous membrane, forearm a fibrous membrane that connects the interosseous borders located on the shafts of the radius and the ulna a synd

esmosis; its fibers are oriented obliquely downward from the radius toward the ulna; the interosseous membrane is the classic example of a syndesmosis; proximally directed forces from the hand pass through the radius and are transferred to the ulna through the interosseous membrane; marked proximally by the oblique cord interphalangeal joints the articulations between the proximal and middle phalanges (proximal interphalangeal joint, abbreviated PIP) or the middle and distal phalanges (distal interphalangeal joint, abbreviated DIP) a synovial hinge joint; these joints are strengthened by medial and lateral collateral ligaments metacarpophalangeal joint the articulation between the head of a metacarpal and the base of a proximal phalanx a synovial condyloid (or ellipsoid) joint; it is strengthened by medial and lateral collateral ligaments; the joint has two planes of motion: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction which may be combined to yield circumduction midcarpal joint the joint which connects the proximal and distal rows of carpal bones a series of synovial plane joints; small ranges of

 motion are permitted between carpal bones which take on an additive effect because there are several articulations in a proximodistal row (wrist, midcarpal and carpometacarpal joints); the midcarpal and intercarpal joints are reinforced by numerous ligaments oblique cord a thickening of connective tissue fibers at the proximal end of the interosseous membrane it connects the proximal end of the shaft of the radius to the proximal end of the shaft of the ulna radial collateral ligament, elbow a ligament spanning the lateral side of the elbow joint it connects the lateral epicondyle of the humerus with the radius and the annular ligament; it reinforces the lateral side of the elbow articular capsule; it is smaller and less distinct than the ulnar collateral ligament radial collateral ligament, wrist it connects the styloid process of the radius with the scaphoid and trapezium it reinforces the articular capsule on the lateral side of the wrist radiocarpal (wrist) joint characterized by an intracapsular articular disk; radius articulates with the proximal row of carpals radioulnar joint, distal the articulation between the head of the ulna and

 the ulnar notch of the radius a synovial pivot joint; this joint has a fibrocartilaginous articular disk that attaches to the styloid process of the ulna and the medial side of the distal radius radioulnar joint, intermediate the articulation formed by the interosseous membrane a syndesmosis; it connects the interosseous border of the ulna to the interosseous border of the radius; proximally directed forces from the hand pass through the radius and are transferred to the ulna through the interosseous membrane radioulnar joint, proximal the proximal articulation between the radius and ulna that is contained within the capsule of the elbow joint a synovial pivot joint; it is the articulation between the head of the radius and the radial notch of the ulna which is completed by the annular ligament shoulder joint the articulation between the head of the humerus and the glenoid fossa of the scapula a synovial ball and socket joint; the glenoid labrum deepens the socket; glenohumeral ligaments reinforce the joint capsule anteriorly; the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii m

.

passes through the shoulder joint cavity; the shoulder joint is supported by the muscles of the rotator cuff group (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis); also known as the glenohumeral joint; it is frequently dislocated sternoclavicular joint the joint what connects the clavicle with the sternum a synovial joint; its joint capsule is subdivided by a fibrous articular disc; it is strengthened by the sternoclavicular, interclavicular and costoclavicular ligaments; the sternoclavicular joint has the range of movement, but not the form, of a ball and socket joint sternoclavicular ligament a ligament that reinforces the capsule of the sternoclavicular joint the sternoclavicular ligament has two parts: anterior and posterior; it is a very strong ligament; the combined effect of this ligament, the costoclavicular ligament and the interclavicular ligament is to produce a very strong sternoclavicular joint that seldom dislocates transverse humeral ligament the ligament that spans the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus it connects the greater tubercle of the humerus

 to the lesser tubercle of the humerus and acts to retain the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii m.

in the intertubercular sulcus transverse metacarpal ligament, deep a ligament that connects the metacarpophalangeal joints 2-5 on their palmar surface limited motion is permitted between the distal ends of adjacent metacarpal bones due to the presence of the deep transverse metacarpal ligaments; the metacarpal bones are bound together to form a solid foundation for finger movements transverse scapular ligament, superior a ligament that spans the suprascapular notch of the scapula it converts the suprascapular notch into a foramen; the suprascapular a. passes superior to the ligament and the suprascapular n.

passes inferior to the ligament (Army over the bridge, Navy under the bridge) ulnar collateral ligament, elbow a strong ligament spanning the medial side of the elbow joint it connects the medial epicondyle of the humerus with the ulna; it reinforces the medial side of the elbow articular capsule ulnar collateral ligament, wrist it connects the styloid process of the ulna to the pisiform and triquetrum it reinforces the articular capsule on the medial side of the wrist wrist joint the articulation between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones a synovial ellipsoid joint; two primary degrees of motion are permitted: abduction/adduction and flexion/extension - these motions are combined to produce circumduction; the radius actually articulates with the articular disk which in turn articulates with the proximal row of carpal bones (scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum) the articulation between the frontal bone and the two parietal bones a suture intermaxillary suture the articulation between the palatine processes of the right and left maxillae a suture; it is a midline feature of the hard palate and marks the line of fusion of the two

 palatine shelves (secondary palate) during development lambdoidal suture the articulation between the occipital bone and the parietal bone a suture metopic suture the articulation between the two ossification centers of the frontal bone a suture; a midline structure, it usually disappears during development but is occasionally present in adults pterion the articulation between four bones: the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, the frontal bone, the parietal bone, the squamous part of the temporal bone a suture; this is a site of relatively thin bone that is frequently fractured in blows to the side of the head; the middle meningeal a.

is located deep to this site and may be injured in skull fractures at this location, leading to epidural hematoma sagittal suture the articulation between the two parietal bones a suture; it is a midline structure that lies superficial to the superior sagittal venous sinus sphenomandibular ligament the ligament that attaches to the spine of the sphenoid bone superiorly and the lingula of the mandible inferiorly paired; it is a specialization of the pterygoid fascia and is a remnant of the mesenchymal core of the first pharyngeal arch (Meckel's cartilage) squamosal suture the articulation between the parietal bone and the squamous portion of the temporal bone a suture; the greater wing of the sphenoid bone participates in the formation of the anterior end of the squamosal suture stylohyoid ligament the ligament that connects the styloid process with the lesser horn of the hyoid bone a syndesmosis; paired; a remnant of the mesenchymal core of the second pharyngeal arch (Reichert's cartilage) stylomandibular ligament the ligament that connects the sty

loid process with the angle of the mandible paired; a thickening of the parotid fascia temporomandibular joint the articulation between the head of the condylar process of the mandible and the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone a synovial hinge joint; it is separated into two joint spaces by an intracapsular fibrous articular disc; gliding action occurs superior to the articular disc and hinge action occurs inferior to the disc costal cartilage the cartilage that caps the medial end of the rib costal cartilages of ribs 1-7 connect to the sternum; costal cartilages of ribs 8-10 connect to the costal cartilage of rib 7; costal cartilages of ribs 11 & 12 do not articulate anteriorly but end in the muscles of the abdominal wall radiate sternocostal ligaments ligaments that reinforce the sternocostal joint capsule these ligaments connect the costal cartilages of ribs 1-7 with the sternum on both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the sternocostal articulation sternal angle the angle formed by the articulation between the manubrium and the body of the

 sternum a synchondrosis; the cartilage within this joint usually does not become ossified until old age; the angle formed by this articulation is also called the angle of Louis; the sternal angle marks the level of the second costal cartilage from which all other ribs are counted sternocostal joints the articulations that connect the costal cartilages with the sternum a synchondrosis (rib 1) or synovial joints (ribs 2-10); sternocostal synovial joints involving ribs 2-7 contain thin joint capsules; interchondral joints involving ribs 8-10 have simple gliding synovial articulations; radiate sternocostal ligaments reinforce the sternocostal articulations xiphisternal joint the articulation that connects the xiphoid process with the body of the sternum a synchondrosis; the cartilage within this joint usually becomes ossified in old age; the xiphisternal joint marks the inferior extent of the thoracic cavity inguinal ligament the ligament that connects the anterior superior iliac spine with the pubic tubercle the inguinal ligament is a specialization of the inferior border of the

 external abdominal oblique aponeurosis; it is the site of origin for a part of the internal abdominal oblique muscle and for a part of the transversus abdominis muscle; also known as: Poupart's ligament lacunar ligament an extension of the medial end of the inguinal ligament which connects the pubic tubercle with the pecten of the pubis the lacunar ligament is a flattened portion of the aponeurosis of the external abdominal oblique m.

that projects posteriorly from the pubic tubercle; it forms the medial border of the femoral ring and the floor of the inguinal canal at the superficial inguinal ring pectineal ligament a thickening of fascia on the pecten of the pubis the pectineal ligament looks like an extension of the lacunar ligament along the surface of the pectineal line; also known as: Cooper's ligament (note: Cooper's ligaments are also found in the breast) a ligament that connects the transverse process of the L5 vertebra to the iliac crest the iliolumbar ligament stabilizes the lumbosacral joint lumbosacral joint the articulation between the L5 vertebral body and the body of the first sacral segment a symphysis; this articulation is characterized by all of the features of a typical intervertebral articulation which include: an intervertebral disk, anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, synovial joints between articular processes, ligamenta flava, interspinal and supraspinal ligaments; a strong iliolumbar ligament strengthens this joint pubic symphysis the midline joint uniting the

 superior rami of the two pubic bones a symphysis; a fibrocartilage interpubic disk unites the bones; the subpubic angle in the female is greater than the subpubic angle in the male sacroiliac joint the articulation between the ala of the sacrum and the auricular surface of the ilium a synovial joint; the fibrous articular capsule is thickened dorsally and ventrally to form the sacroiliac ligaments; because of the interlocking nature of the joint surfaces and the strong sacroiliac ligaments, only limited movement is permitted at the sacroiliac joint sacrospinous ligament the ligament that connects the ischial spine to the lateral surface of the sacrum and coccyx together with the sacrotuberous ligament, it converts the greater and lesser sciatic notches into greater and lesser sciatic foramina sacrotuberous ligament the ligament that connects the ischial tuberosity to the lateral surface of the sacrum and coccyx together with sacrospinous ligament, it converts the greater and lesser sciatic notches into greater and lesser sciatic foramina acetabular labrum a fibro

cartilage rim around the acetabulum the acetabular labrum deepens the acetabulum; it cups around the head of the femur and holds it firmly in the acetabulum ankle joint the articulation between the distal tibia, the medial malleolus of the tibia, the lateral malleolus of the fibula and the talus a synovial hinge joint; the ankle is reinforced by the deltoid ligament (anterior tibiotalar, tibionavicular, tibiocalcaneal, posterior tibiotalar parts), the anterior talofibular lig., the calcaneofibular lig.

and the posterior talofibular lig.; because of the shape of the talus, the ankle is most stable when the foot is dorsiflexed; the ankle is often injured when the foot is plantar flexed anterior cruciate ligament a ligament connecting the anterior aspect of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia with the medial surface of the lateral femoral condyle an intracapsular ligament located within the fibrous joint capsule of the knee but external to the synovial cavity of the knee; the anterior cruciate ligament limits the anterior movement of the tibia relative to the femur in all positions of joint movement; clipping-type injuries tear the anterior cruciate ligament because the leg is forced anteriorly relative to the femur which places great stress on the anterior cruciate ligament anterior talofibular ligament a ligament that connects the lateral malleolus of the fibula with the anterolateral surface of the talus it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint anterior tibiofibular ligament the ligament that connects the distal ends of the tibia and the fibula anteriorly this ligament reinforces the tibiofibular syndesmosis (at the

 distal ends of these bones) anterior tibiotalar ligament part of the deltoid ligament connecting the medial malleolus of the tibia with the talus it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint calcaneofibular ligament a ligament that connects the lateral malleolus of the fibula with the calcaneus it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint deltoid ligament the ligament that connects the medial malleolus of the tibia with the talus, navicular and calcaneus the deltoid ligament reinforces the ankle joint; it has the shape of the Greek letter delta, hence its name; it has four parts (from anterior to posterior): anterior tibiotalar lig., tibionavicular lig., tibiocalcaneal lig., posterior tibiotalar lig.

fibular collateral ligament the collateral ligament of the knee that connects the lateral epicondyle of the femur with the head of the fibula an extracapsular ligament, not part of the fibrous capsule of the knee; the fibular collateral ligament passes superficial to the tendon of origin of the popliteus m.

hip joint the articulation between the os coxae and the head of the femur a synovial ball and socket joint; it is reinforced by capsular ligaments (iliofemoral, pubofemoral, ischiofemoral, zona orbicularis); the fibers of the articular capsule become taut on hip extension and lax on hip flexion; dislocation injuries of the hip are most common when the hip is flexed (sitting in a car seat during an impact that causes the knees to strike the dash board, for example) iliofemoral ligament the ligament reinforcing the anterior surface of the articular capsule of the hip joint the iliofemoral ligament is shaped like an inverted "Y"; it connects the anterior inferior iliac spine to the anterior surface of the intertrochanteric line of the femur; also known as: ligament of Bigelow infrapatellar bursa, deep the bursa lying between the patellar ligament and the tibia synovial membrane, the deep infrapatellar bursa reduces friction between the patellar ligament and the tibia infrapatellar bursa, superficial a subcutaneous bursa overlying the patellar lig

ament synovial membrane interosseous ligaments of the foot ligaments that reinforce intertarsal (gliding) synovial joints they connect adjacent tarsal bones; they are named for the two bones that they connect and whether they are located on the dorsal or plantar surface of those bones interosseous membrane of the leg the membrane that connects the interosseous borders of the shafts of the tibia and fibula a syndesmosis interphalangeal joints the articulations between the proximal and middle phalanges (proximal interphalangeal joint, abbreviated PIP) or the middle and distal phalanges (distal interphalangeal joint, abbreviated DIP) a synovial hinge joint; these joints are strengthened by medial and lateral collateral ligaments ischiofemoral ligament the ligament reinforcing the posterior surface of the articular capsule of the hip joint the ischiofemoral ligament connects the body of the ischium to the posterior portion of the femoral neck knee joint the articulation between the femoral condyles and the tibial condyles a synovial hinge joint; it is reinforced by intracapsular ligaments (anterior

 & posterior cruciate ligaments) and two types of collateral ligaments (capsular - tibial collateral ligament, and extracapsular - fibular collateral ligament); the medial and lateral menisci are contained within the joint capsule lateral meniscus an intra-articular disc within the knee joint located between the lateral femoral condyle and the lateral tibial condyle fibrocartilage; it is attached to the coronary ligament and the intercondylar eminence of the tibia ligament of the head of the femur an intracapsular ligament that attaches to the fovea of the head of the femur and to the acetabular fossa the ligament of the head of the femur contains a small artery (the a.

of the ligament of the head of the femur) which supplies the femoral head; in fractures of the neck of the femur the retinacular aa. that course along the neck may be damaged, so that the artery to the head may be the only blood supply to the head and proximal neck long plantar ligament a ligament that connects the plantar surface of the calcaneus, cuboid and the bases of the lateral 3 metatarsal bones a ligament that reinforces a complex set of intertarsal (gliding) synovial joints; the long plantar ligament supports the longitudinal arch of the foot longitudinal arch of the foot the arch that passes from the calcaneus to the talus to the navicular to the cuneiforms to the metatarsal a series of plane synovial joints; the longitudinal arch of the foot is formed by the shapes of the metatarsal bones and is supported by the plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament and many other small interosseous ligaments; the tendons of the tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior mm.

also play a supporting role in maintaining the longitudinal arch of the foot medial meniscus an intra-articular disc within the knee joint located between the medial femoral condyle and the medial tibial condyle fibrocartilage; it is attached to the tibial collateral ligament, coronary ligament and intercondylar eminence of the tibia; its attachment fo the tibial collateral ligament results in injury to the medial meniscus whenever the medial collateral ligament is injured metatarsophalangeal joint the articulation between the head of a metatarsal and the base of a proximal phalanx a synovial condyloid (or ellipsoid) joint; it is strengthened by medial and lateral collateral ligaments; the joint has two planes of motion: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction which may be combined to yield circumduction patellar ligament the tendon of insertion of the quadriceps femoris muscle the quadriceps femoris tendon connects the quadriceps femoris muscle group to the patella and the patellar ligament connects the patella to the tibial tuberosity; the patella is a sesamoid bone within the quadriceps femoris tendon plantar calcaneocuboid ligament

 a ligament that connects the calcaneus with the cuboid on their plantar surfaces a ligament that reinforces a complex set of intertarsal (gliding) synovial joints; it supports the longitudinal arch of the foot; also known as: short plantar ligament plantar calcaneonavicular ligament a ligament that connects the sustentaculum tali with the plantar surface of the navicular bone a ligament that reinforces a complex set of intertarsal (gliding) synovial joints; it supports the longitudinal arch of the foot; also known as: spring ligament posterior cruciate ligament a ligament connecting the posterior aspect of the intercondylar eminence with the lateral surface of the medial femoral condyle an intracapsular ligament located within the fibrous joint capsule of the knee but external to the synovial cavity of the knee; the posterior cruciate ligament limits the posterior movement of the tibia relative to the femur in all positions of joint movement posterior meniscofemoral ligament an intracapsular ligament that connects the posterior part of the lateral meniscus with the lateral surface of the medial femoral condyle may be absent posterior talof

ibular ligament a ligament that connects the lateral malleolus of the fibula with the posterolateral surface of the talus it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint posterior tibiofibular ligament the ligament that connects the distal ends of the tibia and the fibula posteriorly this ligament reinforces the tibiofibular syndesmosis (at the distal ends of these bones) posterior tibiotalar ligament part of the deltoid ligament connecting the medial malleolus of the tibia with the talus posteriorly it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint prepatellar bursa a subcutaneous bursa overlying the patella synovial membrane; inflammation of this bursa leads to the condition known as "housemaid's knee" (prepatellar bursitis), so named because housemaids at one time traumatized this bursa while scrubbing floors on their hands and knees pubofemoral ligament the ligament reinforcing the medial surface of the articular capsule of the hip joint the pubofemoral ligament connects the pubic portion of the rim of the bony acetabulum to the medial surface of the femoral neck

 suprapatellar bursa the superior extension of the synovial membrane of the knee joint it passes deep to the quadriceps femoris tendon; the suprapatellar bursa reduces friction between the quadriceps femoris tendon and the femur tarsometatarsal joints the articulations between the distal row of tarsal bones and the proximal ends of the metatarsal bones gliding synovial joints; they are reinforced by dorsal and plantar ligaments which limit the motion between adjacent bones tibial collateral ligament the collateral ligament of the knee joint connecting the medial epicondyle of the femur with the medial surface of the medial condyle of the tibia the tibial collateral ligament reinforces the medial surface of the articular capsule of the knee; it is attached to the medial meniscus which has clinical relevance - when the tibial collateral ligament tears in a clipping-type injury (knee abduction), the medial meniscus also tears tibiocalcaneal ligament part of the deltoid ligament connecting the medial malleolus of the tibia with the sustentaculum tali it is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint tibionavicular ligament Where

 Is The Anterior Cruciate Ligament Is Located In The Human Body - Doctor insights on HealthTap Where is the anterior cruciate ligament is located in the human body?

Dr. Joel McClurg Dr. McClurg 4 doctors agreed: The knee: The anterior cruciate ligament is located directly in the center of the knee and is a major stabilizer of the knee joint. ...Read more Dr. James Cunnar Dr. Cunnar 4 doctors agreed: Yes (to an extent): Any surgery will cause post-operative pain. There will also be discomfort with the therapy that is required after the procedure. Different patients have different pain thresholds, but usually, the pain post-operatively isn't so bad (from the feedback i've gotten from my patients who have had the surgery). ...Read more Dr. Kenneth Cheng Dr. Cheng 4 doctors agreed: Knee instability: The anterior cruciate ligament (acl) is one of four major ligaments in the knee to help maintain knee stability (the others include the posterior cruciate ligament - pcl, lateral collateral ligament - lcl, and the medial collateral ligament - mcl). The ACL is the most significant of the four and helps prevent the lower leg from sliding forward from the upper leg. ...Read more Dr. Vlad Gendelman Dr.

Gendelman 1 doctor agreed: Nothing: There is nothing that would "diffuse" a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (acl). Acl is one of only few ligaments in our body that is entirely intra-articular which means it is not within soft tissues but is sitting inside the joint space with some surrounding joint fluid. This atmosphere makes it impossible for the ACL to heal (which I am assuming what you meant by diffuse). ...Read more Knee (Human Anatomy): Images, Function, Ligaments, Muscles Human Anatomy Picture of the Knee © 2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body. The knee joins the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). The smaller bone that runs alongside the tibia (fibula) and the kneecap (patella) are the other bones that make the knee joint. Tendons connect the knee bones to the leg muscles that move the knee joint. Ligaments join the knee bones and provide stability to the knee: The anterior cruciate ligament prevents the femur from sliding backward on the tibia (or the tibia sliding forward on the femur).

The posterior cruciate ligament prevents the femur from sliding forward on the tibia (or the tibia from sliding backward on the femur). The medial and lateral collateral ligaments prevent the femur from sliding side to side. Two C-shaped pieces of cartilage called the medial and lateral menisci act as shock absorbers between the femur and tibia. Numerous bursae, or fluid-filled sacs, help the knee move smoothly. Knee Conditions Chondromalacia patella (also called patellofemoral syndrome): Irritation of the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap (patella), causing knee pain. This is a common cause of knee pain in young people. Knee osteoarthritis : Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and often affects the knees. Caused by aging and wear and tear of cartilage, osteoarthritis symptoms may include knee pain, stiffness, and swelling. Knee effusion : Fluid buildup inside the knee, usually from inflammation. Any form of arthritis or injury may cause a knee effusion. Meniscal tear : Damage to a meniscus, the cartilage that cushions the knee, often occurs with twisting the knee.

Large tears may cause the knee to lock. ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) strain or tear: The ACL is responsible for a large part of the knee’s stability. An ACL tear often leads to the knee “giving out,” and may require surgical repair. PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) strain or tear: PCL tears can cause pain, swelling, and knee instability. These injuries are less common than ACL tears, and physical therapy (rather than surgery) is usually the best option. MCL (medial collateral ligament) strain or tear: This injury may cause pain and possible instability to the inner side of the knee. Patellar subluxation : The kneecap slides abnormally or dislocates along the thigh bone during activity. Knee pain around the kneecap results. Patellar tendonitis : Inflammation of the tendon connecting the kneecap (patella) to the shin bone. This occurs mostly in athletes from repeated jumping. Knee bursitis: Pain, swelling, and warmth in any of the bursae of the knee. Bursitis often occurs from overuse or injury. Baker’s cyst: Collection of fluid in the back of the knee.

Baker’s cysts usually develop from a persistent effusion as in conditions such as arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis : An autoimmune condition that can cause arthritis in any joint, including the knees. If untreated, rheumatoid arthritis can cause permanent joint damage. Gout : A form of arthritis caused by buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint. The knees may be affected, causing episodes of severe pain and swelling. Pseudogout : A form of arthritis similar to gout, caused by calcium pyrophosphate crystals depositing in the knee or other joints. Septic arthritis : Bacterial infection inside the knee can cause inflammation, pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the knee. Although uncommon, septic arthritis is a serious condition that usually gets worse quickly without treatment. Anatomy Of An Injury: ACL - Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Anatomy Of An Injury: ACL - Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Anatomy Of An Injury: ACL - Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear By Dustin Lapray Last updated: Feb 06, 2014 Ligaments connect the bones of the human body. When they go out, you go down. Learn how the ACL functions, and how proper weight training can protect and rehabilitate the knee.

Football is a dangerous game of collisions, dynamic acceleration, and brutal twists and turns. One wrong step, abnormal twist, or botched landing, and a year of an athletic potential slumps to the turf. New York Jets All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis is considered one of the greatest athletes in football. He isolates receivers so completely that quarterbacks are said to desert them on "Revis Island." But on September 21, 2012, as Revis sprinted to tackle a Miami Dolphin receiver, he momentarily adjusted his sprint and his knee buckled. Revis was carted off the field in the third quarter, his face in his hands, his season done after three games. The diagnosis, as it has been for several other players early in the season, was a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Approximately one in five NFL injuries occur in the knee, and the tears and ruptures in the ACL are the most common knee injury. The combination of speed, sudden stops, and physical obstacles on the football field creates a perfect environment for leg injuries—especially to the four ligaments in the knee. However, big hits aren't always to blame.

Approximately 80 percent of sports-related ACL tears are non-contact injuries—including the one that ended Revis' season. ACL injuries occur commonly among skiers, trail runners, soccer players, ladies jumping out of pickup trucks, and old dudes playing 500 with their nephews. No matter the setting, if fast-paced jumps and turns are involved, you're at risk. Injuries occur whenever a knee joint is required to bend backward, twist, or bend side-to-side. The bad news is that in the case of both pros and joes, most—but not all—ACL injuries require surgery and lengthy rehab periods. But a torn ACL doesn't have to mean "game over" on your athletic life, as long as you do take your rehab seriously and do your homework. Let's get to know this much-feared injury. The Crucial Ligament The knee is a vital joint to human activity. Without it, we can't even stand, let alone run and score touchdowns. But like every joint, the knee is more than just the meeting of two bones. It's a complex web of muscles, tendons (which connect muscles to bones) and ligaments (which connect bone to bone). So where does the ACL fit in?

Let's break it down: Anterior - Situated before or at the front; pertaining to the front plane of the body Cruciate - Shaped like a cross or an X Ligament - A band of fibrous tissue serving to connect bones and hold organs in place The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur. Its proximal fibers fan out along the medial wall of the lateral femoral condyle. In terms you may have heard before, the ACL connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. It also it stabilizes the knee during all types of movements. When An Injury Occurs You know you are injured when you hear and/or feel that blood-curdling "pop" in your knee. What just happened? The ligament may have either torn or snapped into shreds, leaving your leg bones floating nearly free in the knee joint. It may still be connected to one or both of your leg bones, but possibly not. You may have also injured the medial collateral ligament (MCL), which is on the inner side of your knee joint, or the outer lateral collateral ligament (LCL).

A well-known 1995 study found that over 50 percent of ACL injuries involved MCL damage, while a third included LCL damage. If you damaged or tore the ACL, the MCL, and the meniscus (knee pads), you've experienced the "unhappy triad," or blown-out knee. In the case of an ACL tear, you still may be able to walk on the knee, depending on the severity of the injury. But that doesn't mean you're out of the woods. Without a functioning ACL, your bones may rub against each other, causing bone bruising and other injuries. You're also at risk of damaging the menisci. According to one recent study, this can prove more detrimental to athletic durability than an isolated ACL injury. When you injure your knee you should immediately implement R.I.C.E.: Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate. In the days following the injury, either visit your family physician or get an exam from an orthopedist. A simple stress test determines which tendon or ligament has been injured. The Walking Dead If you simply tore your ACL, then you might not need surgery—but then again, you still might. With luck, slight tears can heal with rehabilitation.

The more severe the twist or bend, the more severe the injury, and the greater chance you tore multiple ligaments and will need longer rehab. Once a ligament ruptures and blood flow is cut off, it cannot repair itself. If gone untreated, the nubs will erode and eventually disappear. The only way to begin the arduous process of ligament regeneration is for a surgeon to insert tendon tissue, often known as a "scaffold," into the knee. This allows blood to flow from one end to another, and your body slowly transforms the tendon into a ligament again. Reconstructive surgery connects the joint with either a tendon piece from your body (autograft) or from a cadaver (allograft). Both procedures begin with arthroscopic cleaning to remove remains of the old ACL, and also to determine the true state of the knee. Autograft: The surgeon removes either the middle third of your own patellar tendon, which holds kneecap in place, or a doubled-over piece of your hamstring tendon. The segment is removed from its normal location and attached to both the femur and the tibia with dissolvable screws.

Once attached, blood flows through the tendon and slowly begins the process to transform it into a ligament. Allograft: The surgeon inserts a piece of tendon from a cadaver. The tissues are removed by outside companies which test the ligaments for diseases, radiate the tissue with charged ions, then freeze-dry them for storage. There are benefits and risks to both methods. An autografted tendon is thought to heal and mature more quickly, but since the procedure requires another injury to the patient, recovery can be long and painful. There is also the possibility that your hamstring or patella will be weakened in the long-term. On the other side, an allograft procedure entails less initial pain, because you are not taking tissue from another part of your own body. However, the dead tissue from the cadaver generally requires more time to mature and strengthen within your body. While you may feel better six months out with a cadaver tendon, it may be structurally less strong than an autograft, putting you at risk for re-injury when you overestimate your healing. Banding Together The process of turning an implanted tendon into a new ligament takes a long time. To protect the transforming fibers, you must strengthen your hamstrings and quadriceps.

But you can't just leap into powerlifting. You will barely be able to walk, so before you are off crutches, you will engage in rehab with resistance bands. "[Resistance bands] allow you to target a muscle action that's hard to get to with any kind of conventional movement," says James Moore, an exercise physiologist at the Idaho Sports Medicine Institute. "A lot of machines are not good at letting you set up that plane of movement. You're stuck with how the machine works. You try to work around it, but with the bands we can duplicate exactly what we want, but can add some resistance to it." Eventually you will elevate your training to isolation machines and free weights to target your large muscles, but the bands help smaller, stabilizer muscles weakened by the injury. "We've been using elastic tubing and bands forever," Moore says. "You have to stand there and balance and teach those muscles how to support you better." Ready For Rehab? Your ACL rehab begins before you even have surgery. Physical therapists will begin by increasing your range of motion immediately, to help rebuild the strength in the damaged area. Sometimes, as in the case of Darrelle Revis, the patient may not even go under the knife for a matter of weeks.

No matter whether you choose an autograft or allograft, the muscle groups that balance the knee joint will be affected. Physical therapy and weightlifting are required to strengthen the affected muscle group. Without the resistance training, injuries to the kneecap, hamstring, meniscus, and the repaired ACL are a serious risk, especially if you return to vigorous activity too soon. Post-surgery rehab can take five months to two years. The muscle groups surrounding your knee will lose tone and strength. It takes time, patience, and hard work to earn that tone back. Just 3-4 days after your operation, you begin the long road to recovery with mild exercises and weight lifting. Different doctors and physical therapists will favor different moves, but early on, all will have little-to-no impact on your knee. Normally, you'll begin with machines and then move to resistance bands and eventually free weights. Here is a sample home exercise program for an ACL reconstruction, provided by the Idaho Sports Medicine Institute in Boise: Passive ROM (Range of Motion) /// Work for full extension and full flexion (unless limited by meniscal repair) at least twice daily. Emphasize full extension, including hyperextension, equal to the other knee.

Patellar Mobilization /// Medial, superior, and inferior glides and lateral tilt done with the quads relaxed. Isometrics / Exercises /// Quad extensions, hamstring curls, calf raises, leg press, short squats, standing knee extensions (using tubing placed behind the knee), resisted plantar flexion, hip adductor/abductor, seated/standing quad sets with surgical tubing. Jumping Exercises /// Standing broad jump, 2-legged jumps, 1-legged jumps, 180-degree jump spins, sideways jumps, box steps, box jumps (different angles, directions, heights), focus on proper hip, knee, and foot alignment. Gait Training /// With crutches, weight bear as tolerated, using a heel/toe gait and working for full extension of the knee. Crutches may be discontinued as soon as the patient has good muscle tone, motion and can walk without a limp. Try in front of a mirror, hold onto a counter for balance, or balance on the injured leg.

Your care provider will have his or own program for sports-related rehab, but you're likely to see a combination of short squats, extensions, presses, jumping, and step-ups, depending on your tolerance and if you had an autograft from your hamstring. Aerobically, get used to the machines: stationary bike, treadmill, and elliptical. You can swim in time, but avoid frog kicks or vigorous flutter kicks. For a while at least, be happy with just walking in the pool. The Long-Term Once you tear up your knee, the original makeup of your joint is gone. Welcome to cyborg life. Yes, you can heal and return to the mountain, the pitch, or the gridiron, but remember that you are now a science experiment, and there are side effects. "The knee is never normal again," Moore says. "It may not ever bug you, bother you, but once you get an inury and a surgery, the knee is never the same." Amazingly, NFL players generally return from these injuries to play again, regardless of age and position. Sometimes, they even thrive. On December 24, 2011, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings tore his ACL and his MCL.

After reconstructive surgery and eight months of rehab, Peterson returned to the NFL for week one of the 2012 season to rush for 84 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the Vikings' all-time leading rusher. Peterson, a gym beast, is a genetic anomaly. Results like his are not typical, even in the NFL. A study in the The American Journal of Sports Medicine in 2006 tracked NFL running backs and wide receivers who had sustained ACL injuries and found that while almost 80 percent returned to play, their on-field performance dropped by an average of 30 percent by a range of markers. So it should come as no surprise that for the rest of us mortals, long-term effects are likely after an ACL injury. For example, athlete or not, you're more likely than not to suffer from osteoarthritis in your knees after having suffered an ACL injury. In the shorter term, re-injuring the knee is a distinct risk, as is injuring the other knee through overcompensation or fear of injury. The pain is inevitable. Rehab can take months or years, and the pain will be there through it all.

Then one day, it will be almost or totally gone, but even then it's important to continue strength training to protect the knee. The hams and quads are your knees' bodyguards. Use them. Accident Avoidance There are a number of things you can do to strengthen your body and your knee joint, so you your chances of tearing—or re-tearing—a ligament decrease. First, learn how to jump and land. Technique is paramount in sports and can often trump natural athleticism. You may not be able to stop linebackers from twisting you up during a tackle, but by practicing how to jump and land, you can protect yourself from your own bad form. When you jump (over a defender, a fence, or a mogul) keep your hips, knees and feet in alignment, so that when you land, they are still aligned. If you land with your feet at angles, your ligaments may rupture due to the compressive force of your body colliding with the ground. A player can jump-cut, land wrong, and his or her knee will buckle.

"We try to get people to where they are strong enough—and aware enough—that whenever they land, they land with their knees bent just a little, or [they] get strong enough to land with good alignment," says James Moore, and exercise physiologist at the Idaho Sports Medicine Institute, which treats the Boise State University football team and other collegiate, semi-pro, and amateur athletes. "Even with good strength, if you land incorrectly just once you can tear a ligament." Moore also suggests that children and adults participate in multiple sports to develop muscle strength in areas that certain sports don't provide. Weightlifting is also vital to young athletes, many of whom try to play sports without training. He points to a study the institute conducted way back in 1980. That year, they found 22 torn ACLs among high school girls participating in sports, while only two boys suffered the injury. The reason had less to do with gender than with physical fitness. Most of the girls had never done weight training, so their knees were not properly supported by muscle.

To develop that strength, implement both isolation (e.g., leg extension) and compound (e.g., squat) leg exercises to target the muscle groups in the quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves. Moore says isolation exercises are particularly effective in helping guard against injuries that occur during the sudden slow-downs and stops of action sports. "You need to develop the muscles to decelerate," he says. "The big emphasis for strength coaches is to do all the explosive lifts, and they don't do any isolation stuff anymore in the quads and hams. Develop quads with the knee straight, so when you land and come to a stop your knee bends. That's exactly what you do when do leg extensions." The Future of ACL Treatment Due to the intensive rehab and slow recovery demanded by conventional ACL treatments, athletes are often willing to travel around the world and spend plenty of cash on experimental procedures. Many of these promising techniques are not yet legal in the United States or have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA or the AMA. Perhaps the best-known new technique in recent years involves injecting platelet-rich plasma (PRP), pulled from the athlete's own blood, into weakened areas.

Hundreds of hospitals and thousands of independent doctors now offer this relatively inexpensive treatment worldwide. A recent review of controlled trials for PRP injections after ACL grafts found that the injections could speed graft maturation by 20-30 percent. This has great appeal for professional athletes like Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. He underwent PRP treatment in addition to having a patellar tendon transplant after suffering a brutal ACL tear in the 2011 NBA playoffs. German doctor Peter Wehling has also received a lot of attention for a small change he made to the PRP protocol. He heats the patient's blood prior to spinning it, which he claims serves to further isolate healing and anti-inflammation agents. Athletes such as Kobe Bryant and Alex Rodriguez, and even the late Pope John Paul II, tried the therapy on their chronically bum knees. A group of Italian doctors has added stem cell therapy into the mix, in the hopes of avoiding surgery altogether, as well as the complications that sometimes accompany patella or hamstring tendon harvesting. In a 2009 study, Dr.

Alberto Gobbi and his colleagues at Orthopedic Arthroscopic Surgery International in Milan employed a unique procedure that involved suturing ACL tears in athletes and then creating small holes in the healthy remnants of the ACL to stimulate the creation of stem cells from bone marrow. Of the 26 athletes Gobbi and his colleagues performed the procedure on, 21 were able to return to their previous level of sports activity. Novel techniques like stem cell therapy for ACL tears may be years from becoming widely available stateside. However, with billion-dollar sports leagues eagerly awaiting the latest new developments, these promising avenues of research have nowhere to go but forward. In time, they could be the key to shave months or years off of rehab and allowing patients to get back in the game sooner—and stronger. About The Author Posterior Cruciate Ligament Function, Anatomy & Diagram | Body Maps Your message has been sent. OK We're sorry, an error occurred. We are unable to collect your feedback at this time. However, your feedback is important to us. Please try again later. Close Posterior cruciate ligament The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is one of four ligaments that hold the knee in place and provide added stability.

More specifically, the PCL helps to ensure proper alignment of the femur and tibia, also called the thighbone and shinbone. Ligaments are fibrous tissue that usually connect bones. The PCL holds the shinbone in place so that it doesn't slip over the thighbone and cause the knee to buckle, lock, or collapse. According to Medline Plus, the PCL is the strongest ligament in the knee. An injury to the posterior cruciate ligament may or may not require surgery, depending upon the severity of the injury, age of the patient, and whether other ligaments and cartilage are involved. The PCL can be injured by landing on it awkwardly, falling hard on a bent knee, or receiving a direct blow to a flexed knee. The posterior cruciate ligament may be rehabilitated through physical therapy exercises designed to strengthen the leg muscles around the knee. In the worst cases, ligament replacement is the only way to completely repair a PCL injury.

New Ligament Found in Human Knee New Ligament Found in Human Knee By Douglas Main, Staff Writer | November 7, 2013 09:03am ET MORE The anterolateral ligament (ALL), a new ligament identified in the human knee. Credit: University of Leuven Humans have been studying their own bodies for centuries, piecing together what all the parts are and how they work and interact, but apparently one tiny piece in the human knee has gone undiscovered until now. Belgian researchers have for the first time described a new ligament in the human knee, termed the anterolateral ligament (ALL). The researchers conducted in-depth examinations of 41 cadaver knees, and found the new ligament in all but one of them. A French surgeon first postulated its existence in 1879, but it hadn't been proven and fully described until now, said Dr. Steven Claes, an orthopedic surgeon and study co-author at the University of Leuven, Belgium.

[ The 7 Biggest Mysteries of the Human Body ] "The anatomy we describe is the first precise characterization with pictures and so on, and differs in crucial points from the rather vague descriptions from the past," Claes told LiveScience. "The uniqueness about our work is not only the fact that we identified this enigmatic structure for once and for all, but we are also the first to identify its function." The researchers presented their new work this March at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting in Chicago. Occasionally when people injure their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), they suffer what is called "pivot shift," where the knee gives way when it is moved a certain way. A new study published in the October issue of the Journal of Anatomy suggests this "pivot shift" may be caused by an injury to the ALL, which helps to control the rotation of the tibia, one of the two bones in the lower leg, he said. One type of "pivot shift" occurs hand in hand with a lesion to the ALL, Claes said. "If the lesion would be overlooked or untreated, this might be the cause of persistent instability after traditional ACL surgery in highly instable cases," he added. Why wasn't it found before?

Claes said he didn't know, though it could be due to poor dissection techniques, or degradation of the ligament in older cadavers . This isn't the first time a new human body part has been discovered recently. Scientists reported in June they had found a new eye layer , named Dua's layer after its discoverer, that sits at the back of the cornea, or the sensitive, transparent tissue at the very front of the human eye that helps to focus incoming light. Email Douglas Main or follow him on Twitter or Google+ . Follow us @livescience , Facebook or Google+ . Article originally on LiveScience . Editor's Recommendations

Question: The cruciate ligaments are in which part of the human body?
Answer: Legs