ligament

Strong, flexible connective tissue, made of the protein collagen, which joins bone to bone at moveable joints and sometimes encloses the joints. Ligaments prevent bone dislocation (under normal circumstances) but allow joint flexion. The ligaments around the joints are composed of white fibrous tissue. Other ligaments are composed of yellow elastic tissue, which is adapted to support a continuous but varying stress, as in the ligament connecting the various cartilages of the larynx (voice box).

Ligaments are also classified as: funicular, or cylindrical cords; fasicular, or flattened bands; and capsular, or enveloping ligaments completely investing a joint.