syndesmo-
Connective tissue, especially ligaments.
[Greek sundesmos, binding, fastening, from syn, together, and desmos, bond or connection.]
A syndesmosis is an immovable joint in which bones are joined by connective tissue, for example between the fibula and tibia at the ankle; a syndesmophyte is a bony growth attached to a ligament; syndesmology is the branch of anatomy that deals with ligaments.
Visit Michael Quinion’s World Wide Words site for 2000+ articles on English!
Copyright © Michael Quinion 2008–. All rights reserved. Page last updated 23 September 2008.
Your comments and suggestions on the site are very welcome.