Joints, or "articulations" as they are also called, are functional junctions between bones. Joints function to bind parts of the skeletal system, make bone growth possible, permit parts of the skeleton to change shape during childbirth, and enable the body to move in response to skeletal muscle contractions. With such an extensive list of responsibilities, it should be no surprise that joints vary considerably in their structure and function. However, they're usually classified by the type of tissue that binds the bones at each junction. Three general classification groups are fibrous joionts, cartilaginous joints, and synovial joints.
Most joints of the skeletal system are synovial joints, which allow free movement. Synovial joints are more complex structurally than fibrous or cartilaginous joints; they consist of articular cartilage, a joint capsule, and a synovial membrane, which secretes synovial fluid.
So where do ligaments factor in with all of this? I'm getting there! Ligaments are the bundles of strong, tough collagenous fibers that reinforce the joint capsule and help bind the articular ends of the bones. Some ligaments appear as thickenings in the fibrous layer of the capsule, whereas others are accessory structures located outside the capsule. In either case, ligaments help prevent excessive movement at the joint. That is, the ligament is relatively inelastic, and it tightens when the joint is stressed.
The ligament found outside a joint capsule is called an extracapsular ligament. These ligaments help stabilize and support the joint by connecting bones together outside of the joint capsule.
Ligaments connect ones in joints
The ligaments that support the glenohumeral joint include the superior, middle, and inferior glenohumeral ligaments. Additionally, the coracohumeral ligament, transverse humeral ligament, and the joint capsule provide further stability to the joint.
An acrocoracohumeral ligament is a ligament which connects the humerus to the shoulder joint.
The iliofemoral ligament, also known as the Y ligament of Bigelow, is the most important ligament in preventing hyperextension of the hip joint. It is the strongest ligament in the body and is crucial for providing stability to the hip joint during weight-bearing activities.
Periodontal ligament is associated with a fibrous joint, also referred to as a syndesmosis joint. This type of joint allows limited movement and is found in between the roots of teeth and the surrounding alveolar bone in the jaw.
The tearing of a ligament at the joint is normally referred to as a complete tear or a Grade 3 strain.
The ligament that helps to bend your knee joint is the anterior cruciate ligament. This ligament is often torn during exercise and is the one most often damaged when running.
The ligaments in the hip joint include the iliofemoral ligament, pubofemoral ligament, ischiofemoral ligament, and ligamentum teres. These ligaments provide stability to the hip joint by connecting the femur to the pelvis.
Yes, a syndesmosis joint is held together by the interosseous ligament, which connects the tibia and fibula in the lower leg. This ligament is crucial for maintaining stability and proper alignment between these two bones. Injuries to the syndesmosis joint, such as a high ankle sprain, can result in damage to this ligament.
interosseous membrane of the forearm
Fibrous Joint