Ligament

ligament /lig·a·ment/ (lig´ah-mint)

1. a band of fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages, serving to support and strengthen joints.

2. a double layer of peritoneum extending from one visceral organ to another.

3. cordlike remnants of fetal tubular structures that are nonfunctional after birth.ligamen´tous

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accessory ligament  one that strengthens or supports another.

alar ligaments 

1. two bands passing from the apex of the dens to the medial side of each occipital condyle.

2. a pair of folds of the synovial membrane of the knee joint.

annular stapedial ligament  a ring of fibrous tissue that attaches the base of the stapes to the fenestra vestibuli of the inner ear.

anococcygeal ligament  a fibrous band connecting the posterior fibers of the sphincter of the anus to the coccyx.

arcuate ligaments 

1. the arched ligaments connecting the diaphragm with the lowest ribs and the first lumbar vertebra.

2. ligamenta flava.

Bérard's ligament  the suspensory ligament of the pericardium.

Bertin's ligament , Bigelow's ligament iliofemoral l.

ligament of Botallo  a strong thick fibromuscular cord extending from the pulmonary artery to the aortic arch; it is the remains of the ductus arteriosus.

Bourgery's ligament  oblique popliteal ligament; a broad band of fibers extending from the medial condyle of the tibia across the back of the knee joint to the lateral epicondyle of the femur.

broad ligament 

1. a broad fold of peritoneum supporting the uterus, extending from the uterus to the wall of the pelvis on either side.

Broad ligament of uterus (ligamentum latum uteri), comprising the mesovarium, mesometrium, and mesosalpinx; shown in side view, with the anterior surface of the uterine body facing left.

2. a sickle-shaped sagittal fold of perineum helping attach the liver to the diaphragm and separating the left and right hepatic lobes.

Brodie's ligament  transverse humeral l.

Burns' ligament  falciform process (1).

Campbell's ligament  suspensory l. (2).

cardinal ligament  part of a thickening of the visceral pelvic fascia beside the cervix and vagina, passing laterally to merge with the upper fascia of the pelvic diaphragm.

carpal ligament, transverse  flexor retinaculum of hand.

Colles' ligament  a triangular band of fibers arising from the lacunar ligament and pubic bone and passing to the linea alba.

conoid ligament  the posteromedial portion of the coracoclavicular ligament, extending from the coracoid process to the inferior surface of the clavicle.

conus ligament  a collagenous band connecting the posterior surface of the pulmonary annulus and the muscular infundibulum to the root of the aorta.

Cooper's ligament  pectineal l.

coracoclavicular ligament  a band joining the coracoid process of the scapula and the acromial extremity of the clavicle, consisting of two ligaments, the conoid and trapezoid.

cotyloid ligament  a ring of fibrocartilage connected with the rim of the acetabulum.

cruciate ligaments of knee  more or less cross-shaped ligaments, one anterior and one posterior, arising from the femur and passing through the intercondylar space to attach to the tibia.

cystoduodenal ligament  an anomalous fold of peritoneum extending between the gallbladder and the duodenum.

diaphragmatic ligament  the involuting urogenital ridge that becomes the suspensory ligament of the ovary.

falciform ligament  a sickle-shaped sagittal fold of peritoneum that helps attach the liver to the diaphragm.

flaval ligaments  ligamenta flava.

glenohumeral ligaments  bands, usually three, on the inner surface of the articular capsule of the humerus, extending from the glenoid lip to the anatomical neck of the humerus.

glenoid ligament 

1. (pl.) dense bands on the plantar surfaces of the metatarsophalangeal joints.

2. see under lip.

Henle's ligament  falx inguinalis.

Hey's ligament  falciform process (1).

iliofemoral ligament  a very strong triangular or inverted Y-shaped band covering the anterior and superior portions of the hip joint.

iliotrochanteric ligament  a portion of the articular capsule of the hip joint.

inguinal ligament  a fibrous band running from the anterior superior spine of the ilium to the spine of the pubis.

lacunar ligament  a membrane with its base just medial to the femoral ring, one side attached to the inguinal ligament and the other to the pectineal line of the pubis.

Lisfranc's ligament  a fibrous band extending from the medial cuneiform bone to the second metatarsal.

Lockwood's ligament  a suspensory sheath supporting the eyeball.

medial ligament 

1. a large fan-shaped ligament on the medial side of the ankle.

2. the medial ligament of temporomandibular articulation.

meniscofemoral ligaments  two small fibrous bands of the knee joint attached to the lateral meniscus, one (the anterior) extending to the anterior cruciate ligament and the other (the posterior) to the medial femoral condyle.

nephrocolic ligament  fasciculi from the fatty capsule of the kidney passing down on the right side to the posterior wall of the ascending colon and on the left side to the posterior wall of the descending colon.

nuchal ligament  a broad, fibrous, roughly triangular sagittal septum in the back of the neck, separating the right and left sides.

patellar ligament  the continuation of the central portion of the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle distal to the patella, extending from the patella to the tuberosity of the tibia.

pectineal ligament  a strong aponeurotic lateral continuation of the lacunar ligament along the pectineal line of the pubis.

periodontal ligament  the fibrous connective tissue that surrounds the root of a tooth, separating it from and attaching it to the alveolar bone, and serving to hold the tooth in its socket. It extends from the base of the gingival mucosa to the fundus of the bony socket.

phrenicocolic ligament  a peritoneal fold passing from the left colic flexure to the adjacent part of the diaphragm.

Poupart's ligament  inguinal l.

pulmonary ligament  a vertical fold extending from the hilus to the base of the lung.

rhomboid ligament of clavicle  a ligament connecting cartilage of the first rib to the undersurface of the clavicle.

Robert's ligament  posterior meniscofemoral l.

round ligament 

1. (of femur) a broad ligament arising from the fatty cushion of the acetabulum and inserted on the head of the femur.

2. (of uterus) a fibromuscular band attached to the uterus near the uterine tube, passing through the inguinal ring to the labium majus.

Schlemm's ligaments  two ligamentous bands of the capsule of the shoulder joint.

subflaval ligaments  ligamenta flava.

suspensory ligament 

1. (of lens) ciliary zonule.

2. (of axilla) a layer ascending from the axillary fascia and ensheathing the pectoralis minor muscle.

3. (of ovary) the portion of the broad ligament lateral to and above the ovary.

4. (of breast) one of numerous fibrous processes extending from the body of the mammary gland to the dermis.

5. (of clitoris) a strong fibrous band attaching the root of the clitoris to the linea alba and pubic symphysis.

6. (of penis) a strong fibrous band that attaches the root of the penis to the linea alba and pubic symphysis.

synovial ligament  a large synovial fold.

tendinotrochanteric ligament  a portion of the capsule of the hip joint.

tracheal ligaments  circular horizontal ligaments that join the tracheal cartilages together.

transverse ligament  short fibers that connect the posterior surface of the neck of a rib with the anterior surface of the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra.

transverse humeral ligament  a band of fibers bridging the intertubercular groove of the humerus and holding the tendon in the groove.

trapezoid ligament  the anterolateral portion of the coracoclavicular ligament, extending from the upper surface of the coracoid process to the trapezoid line of the clavicle.

umbilical ligament, median  a fibrous cord, the remains of the obliterated umbilical artery, running cranialward beside the bladder to the umbilicus.

uteropelvic ligaments  expansions of muscular tissue in the broad ligament, radiating from the fascia over the internal obturator to the side of the uterus and the vagina.

ventricular ligament  vestibular l.

vesicoumbilical ligament  median umbilical l.

vesicouterine ligament  a ligament that extends from the anterior aspect of the uterus to the bladder.

vestibular ligament  the membrane extending from the thyroid cartilage in front to the anterolateral surface of the arytenoid cartilage behind.

vocal ligament  the elastic tissue membrane extending from the thyroid cartilage in front to the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage behind.

Weitbrecht's ligament  a small ligamentous band extending from the ulnar tuberosity to the radius.

Wrisberg's ligament  posterior meniscofemoral l.

Y ligament  iliofemoral l.

yellow ligaments  ligamenta flava.

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lig·a·ment (lg-mnt)

n.

1. A band or sheet of tough fibrous tissue connecting two or more bones, cartilages, or other structures, or serving as support for fasciae or muscles.

2. A fold of peritoneum supporting any of the abdominal viscera.

3. The cordlike remains of a fetal vessel or other structure that has lost its original lumen.

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liga·mental (-mntl), liga·mentous adj.

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Ligament

Ligaments are structures that hold bones together and prevent excessive movement of the joint. They are tough, fibrous bands of tissue.

Mentioned in: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Immobilization, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Sacroiliac Disease, Sprains and Strains

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ligament,

n strong connective tissue that binds the bones of the skeleton together at the joints.

Ligament.

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ligament (lig´ment),

n a tough, fibrous connective tissue band that connects bones or supports viscera. Some ligaments are distinct fibrous structures; others are folds of fascia or of indurated peritoneum; still others are the relics of unused fetal organs.

(alvē´lōden´tl),
n the principal fibers of periodontal ligament, made up of five groups: alveolar crest, horizontal, oblique, apical, and interradicular (if multirooted).

ligament, biologic width of periodontal,

n the width of the periodontal ligament in normal, functioning teeth. It varies with the age of the individual and the functional demands made on the tooth. In health, the periodontal ligament is about 0.25 and 0.1 mm in width, narrowest at the center of the alveolus and widest at the margin and apex.

ligament, periodontal (PDL),

n the method of attachment of the tooth to the alveolus. The ligament consists of numerous bundles of collagenous tissue (principal fibers) arranged in groups, between which is loose connective tissue, together with blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves. It functions as the investing and supportive mechanism for the tooth. Older term:
periodontal membrane.

ligament, sphenomandibular,

n a ligament extending from the spine of the sphenoid bone to the mandibular lingula.

ligament, stylohyoid,

n a ligament attached superior to the styloid process of the sphenoid bone.

ligament, stylomandibular,

n a ligament extending from the styloid process of the temporal bone and attached to the mandibular gonial angle.

ligament, temporomandibular,

n a triangular-shaped ligament extending from the lateral aspects of the root of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone to the mandibular subcondylar neck.

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ligament

1. a band of fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages, serving to support and strengthen joints.

2. a double layer of peritoneum extending from one visceral organ to another.

3. cordlike remnants of fetal tubular structures that are nonfunctional after birth.

The injury suffered when a joint is wrenched with sufficient violence to stretch or tear the ligaments is called a sprain. For a complete list of named ligaments in the body, see Table 12. See also ligamentum.

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accessory ligament

one that strengthens or supports another.

ligament arteriosum

fibrous remnant of the ductus arteriosus.

broad ligament

the peritoneal folds by which the uterus is suspended from the wall of the abdomen and pelvis.

capsular ligament

the fibrous layer of a joint capsule.

cruciate ligament

a pair of ligaments which cross over one another, as for example the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments which tie the femur to the tibia.

median ligament of the bladder

a fold of peritoneum attaching the urinary bladder and urachus to the ventral abdominal wall.

pectinate ligament

a comb-like ligament at the iridocorneal angle.

phrenicocardial ligament

the continuation of the pericardial sac as a ligament attaching to the diaphragm; attaches to the sternum in species where the heart axis is less oblique.

round ligament of the bladder

remnants of the umbilical arteries and their mesenteries in the lateral ligaments of the urinary bladder.

round ligament of the liver

remnants of the umbilical veins found in the falciform ligament in young animals, and the adults of some species.

round ligament of the uterus

part of the gubernaculum of the female extending from the proper ligament of the ovary to the inguinal canal; in some species, e.g. dog, the ligament passes through the inguinal canal and is incriminated in the development of metrocele.

scrotal ligament

vestige of the gubernaculum testis of the fetus; connects the dartos surrounding the testicle to the vaginal tunic of the scrotum.

ligament splitting

a surgical procedure used in horses to stimulate vascularity of a diseased tendon. Through a single key-hole access incision, a series of fan-like incisions are made in the longitudinal axis of the tendon with a special knife.

sutural ligament

a band of fibrous tissue between the opposed bones of a suture or immovable joint.

ligament of the tail of the epididymis

a mesenchymal ligamentous caudal extension of the gubernaculum; a cord which binds the tail of the epididymis to the tunica vaginalis.