The ligaments are resistant structures, however, somewhat elastic, formed by fibrous connective whitish tissue (presence of collagen), which have the function to join two or more bone stabilizing and protecting the joints of the body so as to prevent displacement of bone thus acting as shock absorbers.
In addition, they transmit information to the spinal cord and brain, and also assist in the conservation and local fixation of many internal organs, such as the bladder, uterus and diaphragm. Despite being formed by tissues similar to tendons, these, unlike ligaments, are structures that connect muscles to bones and, in turn, ligaments join two or more bones.
Types of Ligaments
Ligaments vary depending on the type of joint :
- Articular ligaments : this type of ligament joins together two bony heads of a joint, for example, the ligament of the shoulders and knees.
- Ligaments Suspensors : in this case, the ligaments keep certain internal organs in their physiological place of origin, for example, the uterus and the bladder.
In addition, depending on the location , ligaments are classified into:
- Multisegmental ligaments : formed by the anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament and supraspinatus ligament.
- Segmental ligaments : formed by the interspinous ligament, yellow ligament, intertransverse ligament, iliolumbar ligament (lumbosacral).
Ligaments of the Human Body
Some ligaments present in the human body:
Knee Ligaments
The knee joint is composed of the ‘hinged joint’, since it is located between the femur and the tibia, and the ‘flat joint’, located between the femur and the patella. The knee ligaments have the main function of providing stability to this joint, with injuries at that location being very common; they are: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), patellar ligament, fibular collateral ligament (LCL), tibial collateral ligament (LCM), oblique popliteal ligament, arcuate popliteal ligament.
Shoulder Ligaments
The shoulder is a complex region of the human body, composed of three joints, namely: sternoclavicular, (formed by the anterior sternoclavicular ligament, posterior sternoclavicular ligament, interclavicular ligament and costoclavicular ligament), acromioclavicular (formed by the acromioclavicular ligament, coracoclavicular ligament, coracoacromial ligament , superior transverse ligament) and the glenohumeral ligament (formed by the transverse humerus ligament, coracohumeral ligament and the three glenohumeral ligaments: superior glenohumeral ligament, middle glenohumeral ligament and inferior glenohumeral ligament).
Ankle Ligaments
The ankle corresponds to one of the most important parts of the body, since it supports all its weight to the hinged joint between the leg and the foot formed by the joints: talocrural, subtalar and tibiofibular; and the ligaments: deltoid ligament, anterior talofibular ligament, posterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibula ligament.
Hip Ligaments
The main function of the hip or hip is to help balance the body, support the weight and also protect the reproductive system and the lower part of the digestive system. It is composed of the joint called diartrosis (synovial joint), that is, it has an articular capsule with synovial fluid. Located between the femur and the acetabulum of the pelvis, the hip joints are composed of the ligaments: iliofemoral ligament, pubofemoral ligament, ischiofemoral ligament, femoral head ligament and transverse ligament of the acetabulum.
Ligament Injuries
The ligaments correspond to resistant fibrous bundles, however, little elastic which causes many injuries, as a consequence of excessive extensions, total ruptures or partial ruptures, with injuries in the knee ligaments (excessive extension or a rupture of the crossed ligaments) being common in athletes and in the ligaments of the feet or ligaments in the tibiotarsal joint, resulting from sprains.
When this type of injury occurs, the recommendation is to immobilize the area, so that the injury does not get worse. The most diverse symptoms are associated with ligament damage: redness, bruising, swelling, limited movement, among others.