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ligament |
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ligament (lĭg`əmənt), strong band of white fibrous connective tissue connective tissue, supportive tissue widely distributed in the body, characterized by large amounts of intercellular substance and relatively few cells. The intercellular material, or matrix, is produced by the cells and gives the tissue its particular character. ..... Click the link for more information. that joins bones to other bones or to cartilage in the joint areas. The bundles of collagenous fibers that form ligaments tend to be pliable but not elastic. They therefore permit freedom of movement within a certain limited range while holding the attached bones firmly in place. For example, the ligaments at the knee limit the movement of the lower leg to a certain range. Other types of ligaments form fibrous sheets that support such internal organs as the kidneys and the spleen. ligamentTough fibrous band of connective tissue that supports internal organs and holds bones together properly in joints. It is composed of dense bundles of fibres and spindle-shaped cells (fibroblasts and fibrocytes), with little ground substance. White ligament is rich in sturdy, inelastic collagen fibres; yellow ligament is rich in tough elastic fibres, which allow more movement. See also tendon. ligament Anatomy any one of the bands or sheets of tough fibrous connective tissue that restrict movement in joints, connect various bones or cartilages, support muscles, etc. ligament [′lig·ə·mənt] (engineering) The section of solid material in a tube sheet or shell between adjacent holes. (histology) A flexible, dense white fibrous connective tissue joining, and sometimes encapsulating, the articular surfaces of bones. Ligament A strong, flexible connective tissue band usually found between two bony prominences. Most ligaments are composed of dense fibrous tissue formed by parallel bundles of collagen fibers. They have a shining white appearance and are pliable, strong, and noncompliant. A second kind of ligament, composed either partly or almost entirely of yellow elastic fibers, is extensible or compliant, thereby allowing the connected bones to move apart. See Connective tissue, Joint (anatomy) How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Others have proposed that an inflammatory process leads to a hyperemic state in the paravertebral tissues, causing a progressive decalcification of C1 and C2, and a subsequent weakening of the ligamentous insertions of the transverse ligament onto C1. Schenck (1989) states that the major purpose of any surgical procedure for CTS is to lengthen the thick, transverse ligament which crosses at the base of the hand. All 20 patients who had a ruptured alar ligament had intraligamentous signal changes in the transverse ligament. |
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