332 GENERAL ANATOMY. 



The articular ligaments are distinguished into capsular and 

 funicular. 



The capsular ligaments or fibrous capsules consist of cylin- 

 droid ligamentous sheaths which surround the articulation, 

 which are fastened by their two extremities to the two articu- 

 lated bones, and are lined internally by the synovial mem- 

 brane. These capsules, while they firmly connect the bones, 

 allow of motions in all directions. They are almost peculiar 

 to the scapulo-humeral and coxo-femoral articulations; how- 

 ever, rudiments of them are to be found in some others, in 

 which irregular bundles strengthen the synovial membrane 

 in several points of its contour. 



The cords or ligamentous bundles of the articulations are 

 rounded strings or flattened bands, mostly situated outside of 

 the joints, and few of them only in the articular cavities, Both 

 permit movements in some directions, but prevent or limit 

 them in others. 



The external ligaments are mostly placed at the two sides 

 of the articulation, and for this reason are called lateral liga- 

 ments; many moveable articulations are provided with them; 

 others are anterior and posterior; some, in consequence of 

 their direction, are called crucial ligaments. All these liga- 

 ments, which are attached by their two ends to the bones, 

 correspond by one of their faces to the synovial membrane, 

 and by the other to the surrounding common cellular tissue, 

 muscles and tendons. 



The internal ligaments are surrounded by a sheath furnished 

 by the synovial membrane, which is reflected at their two ex- 

 tremities [212]. 



ARTICLE II. 

 OP THE TENDONS. 



515. The ligaments of the muscles or the tendons,* ten- 

 dines, tivovt^ydire ligamentous parts to which are attached the 

 extremities of the muscular fibres. 



* Albinus, annoi. acad., lib. vi., cap. 7, et tab. 5. 



