01 / Location & anatomical relationships
Around joints and in some other supporting locations.
02 / Structure & organization
Ligaments commonly connect bones and constrain joint motion. Their collagen bundles are arranged according to local mechanical demands; some also contain substantial elastic fibers. Sensory endings contribute information about joint position and strain.
03 / Function
It helps keep a joint stable.
04 / Mechanism
Strong fibers limit excessive movement and help bones stay aligned. They provide stability without preventing all motion. Sensory endings in ligaments also contribute information about the joint's position.
Part of a bigger picture
The ligament belongs in our bones & movement collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
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Connect structure with function
Ligaments stabilize while allowing a normal range of movement. They differ from tendons primarily in connections and mechanical role, not because one is living and the other is not.
Check your understanding
Locate the ligament in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.