Check ligament

Check Ligament

The check ligament is an important anatomical structure in the human body, particularly in the context of the musculoskeletal and ocular systems. This article will explore the anatomy, function, and clinical significance of check ligaments.

Anatomy

Check ligaments are specialized structures that serve to limit the movement of certain joints or organs. They are composed of dense connective tissue and are found in various parts of the body.

Ocular Check Ligaments

In the eye, check ligaments are associated with the extraocular muscles. These ligaments help stabilize the eye and limit excessive movement. The two main ocular check ligaments are:

• Medial Check Ligament: This ligament is associated with the medial rectus muscle. It attaches to the lacrimal bone and helps limit the adduction of the eye.
• Lateral Check Ligament: This ligament is associated with the lateral rectus muscle. It attaches to the zygomatic bone and helps limit the abduction of the eye.

These ligaments play a crucial role in maintaining proper eye alignment and function.

Equine Check Ligaments

In horses, check ligaments are part of the suspensory apparatus of the forelimb. They are crucial for the support and function of the limb during movement. The two main check ligaments in horses are:

• Proximal Check Ligament: Also known as the superior check ligament, it connects the superficial digital flexor tendon to the radius.
• Distal Check Ligament: Also known as the inferior check ligament, it connects the deep digital flexor tendon to the carpal bones.

These ligaments help prevent overextension of the tendons during locomotion.

Function

The primary function of check ligaments is to restrict excessive movement and provide stability to the structures they are associated with. In the eye, they prevent excessive rotation, ensuring that the visual axis remains stable. In the limbs of horses, they prevent overextension of tendons, reducing the risk of injury during high-speed activities.

Clinical Significance

Check ligaments can be involved in various clinical conditions. In humans, dysfunction or damage to the ocular check ligaments can lead to strabismus or other alignment disorders. In horses, injury to the check ligaments can result in lameness and require veterinary intervention.

Also see

• Ligament
• Extraocular muscles
• Strabismus
• Equine anatomy

External

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration

• Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

• Anophthalmia and Microphthalmia

• Astigmatism

B

• Behçet's Disease* Bietti's Crystalline Dystrophy

• Blepharitis* Blepharospasm

C

• Cataracts

• Coloboma

• Color Blindness

• Corneal Conditions

D

• Diabetic Retinopathy

• Dry Eye

F

• Floaters

G

• Glaucoma

I

• Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

L

• Low Vision

M

• Macular Edema

• Macular Hole

• Macular Pucker

P

• Pink Eye

R

• Rare Diseases

• Refractive Errors

• Retinal Detachment

• Retinitis Pigmentosa

• Retinoblastoma

• Retinopathy of Prematurity

S

• Stargardt Disease

U

• Usher Syndrome

• Uveitis

V

• Vitreous Detachment