How do ligaments stabilize human joints?

Ligaments stabilize human joints by connecting bones to one another and guiding joint motion, ensuring that movement occurs in the proper direction while preventing excessive actions that could lead to injury or dislocation.12

Contrary to common misconceptions, ligaments are not primarily responsible for holding joint surfaces together at rest; this is typically achieved by the action of muscles or gravity. Instead, ligaments function as connective tissue bands that exert a reactive force only when stretched by tensile stress. By limiting movement, an individual ligament can stop a motion that would otherwise tighten it, thereby protecting the joint.3

These structures are categorized based on their location and relationship to the joint capsule:
* Capsular ligaments: Thickenings of the fibrous joint capsule that provide structural support.3
* Noncapsular ligaments: Structures separate from the capsule, which can be internal (such as the cruciate ligaments in the knee) or external (such as those found in the ankle or along the spinal column).3

Some ligaments, particularly those in the spine, contain elastic fibers that assist in returning the body to its normal shape after movement.3