CHECK LIGAMENT Meaning and
Definition
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A check ligament refers to a band of strong and flexible fibrous tissue found within the body of various organisms, serving the purpose of limiting or controlling the movement of certain body parts or structures. In many animals, including humans, check ligaments are commonly found in the limbs.
In the context of human anatomy, check ligaments are particularly observed in the musculoskeletal system, where they play essential roles in maintaining stability and restricting excessive movements of joints. One example is the presence of check ligaments in the fingers, which prevent hyperextension and help maintain proper alignment during daily activities.
Within veterinary medicine, check ligaments are often discussed in relation to the limbs of animals, like horses. In horses, the check ligaments are specifically prominent in the lower leg and are crucial for maintaining the structural integrity and stability of tendons, joints, and bones. These ligaments help prevent overextension of the limb during strenuous activities and aid in balancing the forces exerted on the limb.
Consequently, understanding the functions and characteristics of check ligaments is vital in diagnosing and treating injuries or conditions affecting these structures. In veterinary medicine, issues such as check ligament strain or check ligament desmotomy (where the ligament is intentionally cut to address certain conditions) are of particular concern.
In summary, a check ligament is a fibrous band within the body that acts as a stabilizer, restricting or controlling the movement of specific body parts or structures, ensuring their proper alignment and preventing excessive motion or injury.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CHECK LIGAMENT
- xheck ligament
- vheck ligament
- fheck ligament
- dheck ligament
- cgeck ligament
- cbeck ligament
- cneck ligament
- cjeck ligament
- cueck ligament
- cyeck ligament
- chwck ligament
- chsck ligament
- chdck ligament
- chrck ligament
- ch4ck ligament
- ch3ck ligament
- chexk ligament
- chevk ligament
- chefk ligament
- chedk ligament
Etymology of CHECK LIGAMENT
The word "check ligament" is made up of two parts: "check" and "ligament".
The term "check" in this context refers to an action of restraining or controlling the movement of something. It is derived from the Old French word "eschec", meaning "a check at chess, a chessboard", and ultimately from the Arabic word "shāh", meaning "king". In chess, the king is the most important piece, and "check" is used to indicate a move that threatens to capture the opponent's king.
A "ligament", on the other hand, is a band of tissue that connects bones or supports organs and holds them in place. The word "ligament" comes from the Latin word "ligamentum", which means "bond" or "tie".
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