ligament

/ˈlɪgəmənt/

/ˈlɪgəmɪnt/

Other forms: ligaments

A ligament is the tissue that connects two bones to form a joint. It's tough and fibrous, which means that when it tears, a ligament can take quite a while to heal and might even require surgery.

Ligament comes from the Latin ligare meaning "to bind, tie," which is precisely what a ligament does. Ligaments only connect bones to bones. Ligaments allow for range of motion. Think of how your knee or elbow is able to move up and down like a hinge. That's thanks to the ligaments connecting the bones to form knee and elbow joints. Over time, ligaments gradually stretch. If you've ever met someone who is "double-jointed" that means their ligaments are extra elastic, which lets them stretch more than the average person.

Definitions of ligament

1. noun

   a sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages or supporting muscles or organs
   types:

   falciform ligament

   a ligament that attaches part of the liver to the diaphragm and the abdominal wall

   ligamentum teres uteri, round ligament of the uterus

   ligament attached to the uterus on either side in front of and below the opening of the Fallopian tube and passing through the inguinal canal to the labia majora

   type of:

   connective tissue

   tissue of mesodermal origin consisting of e.g. collagen fibroblasts and fatty cells; supports organs and fills spaces between them and forms tendons and ligaments
2. noun

   any connection or unifying bond
   types:

   binder, ligature

   something used to tie or bind

   chain

   a series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament

   wire

   ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

   anchor chain, anchor rope

   the chain or rope that attaches an anchor to a vessel

   baling wire

   wire used to make bales

   barbed wire, barbwire

   strong wire with barbs at regular intervals used to prevent passage

   bicycle chain

   a chain that transmits the power from the pedals to the rear wheel of a bicycle

   chatelaine

   a chain formerly worn at the waist by women; for carrying a purse or bunch of keys etc.

   fob, watch chain, watch guard

   short chain or ribbon attaching a pocket watch to a man's vest

   haywire

   wire for tying up bales of hay

   paper chain

   a chain made of loops of colored paper; used to decorate a room

   piano wire

   thin steel wire of high tensile strength

   pull chain

   a chain (usually with a handle at the end) that is pulled in order to operate some mechanism (e.g. to flush a toilet)

   snow chain, tire chain

   chain attached to wheels to increase traction on ice or snow

   trip wire

   a wire stretched close to the ground that activates something (a trap or camera or weapon) when tripped over

   type of:

   attachment, bond

   a connection that fastens things together