ligamentum

Ligamentum is the Latin term for a ligament, a band of fibrous connective tissue that connects bones across joints and contributes to joint stability. In anatomical usage, many ligaments bear the name ligamentum followed by a descriptive term, e.g., ligamentum flavum (yellow ligament) or ligamentum teres (round ligament).

Ligaments are made predominantly of collagen fibers, mostly type I, arranged in bundles. The arrangement varies: some ligaments have a relatively parallel, dense regular structure that resists unidirectional tension, while others are organized more irregularly to stabilize joints in multiple directions. The tissue contains fibroblasts, proteoglycans, and a sparse blood supply, which makes healing slower than that of muscle or skin.

Function: ligaments connect bones and limit or guide joint movement, providing passive stability and contributing to proprioceptive signaling via mechanoreceptors. They help prevent dislocations and excessive ranges of motion.

Examples: ligamentum flavum connects adjacent vertebrae along the spine; ligamentum nuchae supports the head in the cervical region; ligamentum teres runs within the hepatic triad; cruciate ligaments (anterior and posterior) stabilize the knee; and many other ligaments such as the iliofemoral or calcaneofibular ligaments reinforce specific joints.

Clinical relevance: injuries include sprains and tears, with healing often slow due to limited vascularity. Management ranges from rest and physical therapy to surgical reconstruction in severe cases.