rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryligamentConnecting body tissue
noun

ligament

LIG-uh-ment/ˈlɪɡəmənt/

A tough band of tissue that connects or supports body structures, especially at a joint.

A ligament connects the bones and helps stabilize the knee.

At a medical model table, a tough pale band stretches between two bones at a bent knee joint, visibly holding the joint together.
Etymology
ligaLatinto bind, tie
+mentLatinmeans or instrument

The pieces describe a means of binding: Latin ligamentum meant a band, bandage, or tie. The anatomical meaning applies that image to tissue that binds bones together.

In context

Kevin Stone2:12
And then for that unstable ligament, we put in a human donor ligament to stabilize the knee.
Kevin Stone: The bio-future of joint replacement
MinuteEarth speaker0:00
Would you rather break a bone or sprain a ligament?
Which is Worse?

More examples

  • She tears a ligament in her ankle during practice.
  • Ligaments help hold the uterus in place.
  • The surgeon repairs the damaged ligament in his wrist.

Forms

ligament · ligaments

ligamentous adjective — Made of or resembling a ligament.

Similar words

tendon
Connects muscle to bone rather than mainly linking bones.
fascia
Forms sheets around muscles rather than distinct connecting bands.