ligamentum

1. a band of fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages, serving to support and strengthen joints. See also sprain.

2. a double layer of peritoneum extending from one visceral organ to another.

3. cordlike remnants of fetal tubular structures that are nonfunctional after birth. adj., adj ligament´ous.

accessory ligament one that strengthens or supports another.

arcuate l's the arched ligaments that connect the diaphragm with the lowest ribs and the first lumbar vertebra.

broad ligament of uterus a broad fold of peritoneum supporting the uterus, extending from the side of the uterus to the wall of the pelvis.

capsular ligament the fibrous layer of a joint capsule.

conoid ligament the posteromedial portion of the coracoclavicular ligament, extending from the coracoid process to the inferior surface of the clavicle.

coracoclavicular ligament a band joining the coracoid process of the scapula and the acromial extremity of the clavicle, consisting of two ligaments, the conoid and trapezoid.

costotransverse ligament three ligaments (lateral, middle, and superior) that connect the neck of a rib to the transverse process of a vertebra.

cruciate l's of knee more or less cross-shaped ligaments, one anterior and one posterior, which arise from the femur and pass through the intercondylar space to attach to the tibia.

crural ligament inguinal ligament.

deltoid ligament of ankle medial ligament.

falciform ligament of liver a sickle-shaped sagittal fold of peritoneum that helps to attach the liver to the diaphragm and separates the right and left lobes of the liver. Called also broad ligament of liver.

gastrosplenic ligament a peritoneal fold extending from the greater curvature of the stomach to the hilum of the spleen.

Gimbernat's ligament a membrane with its base just lateral to the femoral ring, one side attached to the inguinal ligament and the other to the pectineal line of the pubis. Called also lacunar ligament.

glenohumeral l's bands, usually three, on the inner surface of the articular capsule of the humerus, extending from the glenoid lip to the anatomical neck of the humerus.

Henle's ligament a lateral expansion of the lateral edge of the rectus abdominis muscle which attaches to the pubic bone.

inguinal ligament a fibrous band running from the anterior superior spine of the ilium to the spine of the pubis; called also Poupart's ligament.

intracapsulary l's ligaments of the joint capsule that are inside the capsule.

lacunar ligament Gimbernat's ligament.

Lisfranc's ligament a fibrous band extending from the medial cuneiform bone to the second metatarsal.

Lockwood's ligament a suspensory sheath supporting the eyeball.

medial ligament a large fan-shaped ligament on the medial side of the ankle.

meniscofemoral l's two small fibrous bands of the knee joint attached to the lateral meniscus, one (the anterior) extending to the anterior cruciate ligament and the other (the posterior) to the medial femoral condyle.

nephrocolic ligament fasciculi from the fatty capsule of the kidney passing down on the right side to the posterior wall of the ascending colon and on the left side to the posterior wall of the descending colon.

nuchal ligament a broad, fibrous, roughly triangular sagittal septum in the back of the neck, separating the right and left sides.

patellar ligament the continuation of the central portion of the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle distal to the patella, extending from the patella to the tuberosity of the tibia; called also patellar tendon.

pectineal ligament a strong aponeurotic lateral continuation of the lacunar ligament along the pectineal line of the pubis.

periodontal ligament the connective tissue structure that surrounds the roots of the teeth and holds them in place in the dental alveoli.

Petit's ligament uterosacral ligament.

phrenicocolic ligament costocolic fold.

Poupart's ligament inguinal ligament.

pulmonary ligament a vertical fold extending from the hilus to the base of the lung.

rhomboid ligament the ligament connecting the cartilage of the first rib to the undersurface of the clavicle.

round ligament of femur a broad ligament arising from the fatty cushion of the acetabulum and inserted on the head of the femur.

round ligament of liver a fibrous cord from the navel to the anterior border of the liver.

round ligament of uterus a fibromuscular band attached to the uterus near the fallopian tube, passing through the abdominal ring, and into the labium majus.

splenorenal ligament a peritoneal fold that passes from the diaphragm to the concave surface of the spleen.

suspensory ligament of axilla a layer ascending from the axillary fascia and ensheathing the smaller pectoral muscle.

suspensory ligament of lens ciliary zonule.

sutural ligament a band of fibrous tissue between the opposed bones of a suture or immovable joint.

tendinotrochanteric ligament a portion of the capsule of the hip joint.

transverse humeral ligament a band of fibers bridging the intertubercular groove of the humerus and holding the tendon in the groove.

trapezoid ligament the anterolateral portion of the coracoclavicular ligament, extending from the upper surface of the coracoid process to the trapezoid line of the clavicle.

umbilical ligament, medial a fibrous cord, the remains of the obliterated umbilical artery, running cranialward beside the bladder to the umbilicus.

uteropelvic l's expansions of muscular tissue in the broad ligament of the uterus, radiating from the fascia over the internal obturator muscle to the side of the uterus and the vagina.

uterosacral ligament a part of the thickening of the visceral pelvic fascia beside the cervix and vagina; called also Petit's ligament.

ventricular ligament vestibular ligament.

vesicouterine ligament a ligament that extends from the anterior aspect of the uterus to the bladder.

vestibular ligament the membrane extending from the thyroid cartilage in front to the anterolateral surface of the arytenoid cartilage behind; called also ventricular ligament.

vocal ligament the elastic tissue membrane extending from the thyroid cartilage in front to the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage behind.

Weitbrecht's ligament a small ligamentous band extending from the ulnar tuberosity to the radius.