We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Ligament Tissue?

By Amy Rodriguez
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,745
Share

Ligament tissue is comprised of different grades of collagen, or connective tissue, to connect bone to bone within the human body. This tissue type performs two main duties, including joint protection and positional information for the brain. Ligaments possess extreme strength, but can become damaged from injuries.

The ligament itself is normally formed of numerous collagen fibers densely packed together. Collagen is produced from fibroblast cells that reside in the fiber's center area. Type 3 collagen is the newly formed tissue from the fibroblasts, remaining near the fiber's center area for development time. This ligament tissue portion is relatively weak until it becomes mature in about three months' time.

After maturing, the collagen becomes Type 1, forming about 90 percent of the fiber's structure. This ligament tissue section provides the strength to connect bone to bone. Each fiber runs parallel to adjacent fiber lengths, creating a strong wall of connective tissue.

One main purpose for ligament tissue is to protect joints. Most joints have numerous ligaments encircling the junction, such as the knee. For example, the knee is allowed to move in a specific direction, as dictated by the ligaments. Improper movement, such as from side to side, is hindered with long ligaments on either side of the knee joint. Unless forced by injury, the ligament will not allow the knee to bend in the wrong direction.

Another ligament tissue task is communicating position to the brain. The ligament sends proprioceptive, or stimulating, data to the brain for determining if the joint is bent or straight. A good example is playing soccer; a player does not need to constantly view his or her knees to know if they are ready for a kick or straightened for a run. This communication from the joints to the brain allows a person to move unimpeded through daily movements.

Ligaments can become damaged through injury, like when performing sports activities. American football players who tackle a competitor on the side of the knee can easily sprain the ligament. Depending on the extent of the damage, the ligament can have a simple inflammatory response and swelling.

Serious ligament tissue damage occurs when the connective fibers become ruptured. In many cases, surgery will need to be performed to repair the ligament's functionality. Without the ligament's strength, the joint is susceptible to more injury. Knees and elbows can accidentally bend in an unnatural way, causing extreme pain and more damage to surrounding tissue.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-ligament-tissue.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.