Ligaments structure and function Flashcards
What is the anatomical location of ligaments?
Between two bones, they connect different parts of the bony skeleton.
What is the principal function of ligaments?
They work in synergy with tendons to limit joint movement
What are other functions of ligaments?
They guide joint movement by allowing motion in specific planes and restricted in others.
They are mechanical dampeners
they provide feedback of joint positions in space
ensure joint stability and coordination.
Describe the collagen to non-collagenous ratio in ligaments.
The ratio differs between different ligaments depending on their function.
Describe the relative amount of type iii collagen and ligaments.
It is higher in structures with higher compliance.
Describe the cell density of ligaments.
Cell density is high in structures that experience high strain levels.
How is collagen arranged in the ligaments?
A complex hierarchical arrangement.
Collagen fibre → collagen fibre → bunch of fibres (primary bundle) → group of primary bundles (secondary bundle) → group of secondary bundles (tertiary bundle) → group of tertiary bundles = ligament
What ligaments made out of?
Their composite materials made of collagen and non-collagenous proteins.
Ligaments are mechanoresponsive. What does this mean?
Both their composition and properties can be altered in response to loads.
