Definition

1. Noun:
   • A band of tough, fibrous tissue: In anatomy, a "ligament" is a strong, flexible band of fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones at joints.
   • A unifying or connecting bond: In a more general or figurative sense, a "ligament" can refer to anything that serves as a link or connection between parts.

Usage and Examples

• Anatomical Usage:

  • He tore a ligament in his knee while playing soccer.
  • Ligaments provide stability to joints by limiting excessive movement.

• Figurative Usage:

  • Trust is the ligament that holds a team together.
  • The treaty acted as a political ligament between the two nations.

Advanced Usage

• "Ligamentous" (adjective): Pertaining to or of the nature of a ligament.
  • The patient suffered a ligamentous injury.
• "Ligamentous laxity": A medical term describing loose or overly flexible ligaments.
  • Hypermobile joints are often due to ligamentous laxity.

Variants and Related Words

• Ligature (noun): A thing used for tying or binding something tightly. (Note: In specific medical contexts, it can refer to a thread used to tie a blood vessel, but it is distinct from a ligament).
• Tendon (noun): A flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone. (This is a related but different anatomical structure).

Synonyms

• Anatomical: Band, fibrous band, connective tissue.
• Figurative: Bond, link, tie, connection.

Antonyms

• Anatomical: There is no direct anatomical antonym, but a "gap" or "separation" between bones would be the conceptual opposite of being connected by a ligament.
• Figurative: Division, separation, disconnection.

Notes on Meaning

The primary and most common meaning of "ligament" is anatomical. Its figurative use, while valid, is less frequent and often found in formal or literary contexts to emphasize a strong, binding connection. It is crucial not to confuse a ligament (bone-to-bone) with a tendon (muscle-to-bone).

Noun

1. any connection or unifying bond
2. a sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages or supporting muscles or organs