Ligament: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿฆต
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ligament

 

[หˆlษชษกษ™mษ™nt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

anatomy

A ligament is a band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilages, serving to support and strengthen joints. Ligaments are flexible but not elastic, allowing movement within normal ranges while preventing excessive motion.

Synonyms

connective tissue, sinew, tendon.

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Word Description / Examples
ligament

A ligament is a band of tough, fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones, usually in a joint. Medical contexts often use this term, particularly in discussions about joint injuries.

  • She tore a ligament in her knee while playing soccer.
  • The doctor said I had a sprained ligament and advised rest.
tendon

A tendon is a flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue that connects muscle to bone. This term is common in medical contexts, particularly when discussing injuries related to muscles and bones.

  • She injured her Achilles tendon during the marathon.
  • Tendonitis is a common issue for athletes.
sinew

Sinew refers to tendons or sometimes muscles and is often found in more literary or poetic contexts. It emphasizes strength and resilience and is usually not used in medical texts.

  • The sinew of the warrior's arm held the sword steady.
  • He showed sinew and determination in his long struggle.
connective tissue

Connective tissue is a broader term that includes ligaments, tendons, fat, and other structures that support and bind other tissues in the body. It is commonly used in scientific or anatomical discussions.

  • Connective tissue disorders can affect various parts of the body.
  • Cartilage is a type of connective tissue.

Examples of usage

  • Ligaments in the knee help stabilize the joint during physical activities.
  • The torn ligament in his ankle required surgery to repair.
  • She felt a sharp pain in her wrist after stretching the ligament too far.

Interesting Facts

Anatomy

  • Ligaments are made of strong elastic tissue, allowing joints to move while keeping the bones stable.
  • There are more than 900 ligaments in the human body, each serving to connect different bones.
  • The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee is one of the most commonly injured ligaments in sports.

Etymology

  • The term 'ligament' comes from the Latin word 'ligamentum', which means 'a bond' or 'to tie'.
  • This Latin origin connects to the function of ligaments as they bind bones together.
  • The word was first used in English around the 14th century, indicating its long-standing importance in medical terminology.

Sports Science

  • In sports, ligaments are pivotal for injury prevention; strengthening them can enhance performance.
  • Rehabilitation programs often focus on ligaments after injuries to restore stability and function.
  • Understanding ligament function can help athletes identify ideal training methods to avoid sprains and tears.

Cultural References

  • The concept of ligaments is often used metaphorically to describe connections in relationships or organizations.
  • Documentaries on sports injuries often highlight the significance of ligaments and their role in athletic performance.
  • In some arts and literature, ligaments symbolize the unseen connections that hold a community or family together.

Health and Medicine

  • Ligament injuries can lead to severe joint pain and instability, requiring medical intervention.
  • Surgical procedures for torn ligaments have advanced significantly, with many utilizing arthroscopy techniques for quicker recovery.
  • Current research is exploring regenerative medicine approaches, such as stem cell therapy, to heal ligament injuries.

Translations

Translations of the word "ligament" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น ligamento

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคฃเฅเคกเคฐเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Band

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ligamen

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฒ'ัะทะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wiฤ™zadล‚o

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้ฑๅธฏ (ใ˜ใ‚“ใŸใ„)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ligament

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ ligamento

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท baฤŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ธ๋Œ€ (inde)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑุจุงุท

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vaz

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vรคz

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้Ÿงๅธฆ (rรจndร i)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ligament

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ bandvefur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัั–าฃั–ั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒงแƒ”แƒกแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ baฤŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ligamento

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,448, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.