Which term is a ligament outside of the joint capsule?

Which term is a ligament outside of the joint capsule?

• A. Intracapsular Ligament
• B. Extracapsular Ligament
• C. Subcapular Fossa
• D. Infraglenoid Tubercle

Answer: (B)

The concept here is the location of ligaments relative to the joint capsule. Ligaments that reinforce a joint from outside the capsule are called extracapsular ligaments. These lie external to the fibrous joint capsule, helping stabilize the joint from the outside. In contrast, intracapsular ligaments are located inside the capsule, within the region enclosed by the capsule, such as the cruciate ligaments of the knee. The other two terms describe bone landmarks, not ligaments, so they don’t fit as ligaments outside the capsule. Subcapular fossa is a depression on the scapula, and infraglenoid tubercle is a bump below the glenoid cavity for muscle attachment.

The concept here is the location of ligaments relative to the joint capsule. Ligaments that reinforce a joint from outside the capsule are called extracapsular ligaments. These lie external to the fibrous joint capsule, helping stabilize the joint from the outside. In contrast, intracapsular ligaments are located inside the capsule, within the region enclosed by the capsule, such as the cruciate ligaments of the knee.

The other two terms describe bone landmarks, not ligaments, so they don’t fit as ligaments outside the capsule. Subcapular fossa is a depression on the scapula, and infraglenoid tubercle is a bump below the glenoid cavity for muscle attachment.