The prefix lig- denotes which anatomical structure?

The prefix lig- denotes which anatomical structure?

• A. Nerve
• B. Ligament
• C. Muscle
• D. Tendon

Answer: (B)

In medical terminology, lig- signals a structure that binds things together. A ligament is a band of fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to bones at joints, stabilizing the joint. The term lig- comes from the Latin ligare, to bind, which fits with what a ligament does. That makes ligament the best match for this prefix. Other anatomical structures involve different roots, such as neur- for nerves, my- or muscul- for muscles, and tendin- or ten- for tendons.

In medical terminology, lig- signals a structure that binds things together. A ligament is a band of fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to bones at joints, stabilizing the joint. The term lig- comes from the Latin ligare, to bind, which fits with what a ligament does. That makes ligament the best match for this prefix. Other anatomical structures involve different roots, such as neur- for nerves, my- or muscul- for muscles, and tendin- or ten- for tendons.