Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect bones, joints, or organs and hold them in place. They are made of connective tissue that contains collagen and elastic fibers, which allow them to stretch to some extent. Ligaments often connect two bones together, particularly in the joints, and stabilize the joint or hold the ends of two bones together, ensuring that the bones in the joint don’t twist too much or move too far apart and become dislocated. Ligaments can also connect organs to each other, such as the liver, intestine, and stomach, which are held in place by ligaments in the abdominal cavity. Some ligaments make sure that internal organs are kept in place, such as the womb, which is kept in the right position in the pelvis by ligaments.

In summary, ligaments connect:

• Bones to bones
• Organs to organs
• Bones to organs