GLOSSARY

A ligament is a band of dense regular connective tissue that connects bone to bone and provides joint stability; it should not be confused with a tendon, which connects muscle to bone.

Composition

A ligament is made mainly of type I collagen with some elastin and has a poor blood supply; its fibres run along the main lines of tensile force.

Types

• Capsular ligaments: thickenings of the capsule, such as the glenohumeral ligaments.
• Extracapsular ligaments: such as the lateral collateral ligament of the knee.
• Intracapsular ligaments: such as the cruciate ligaments of the knee.

Function