Which ligaments are located at the sides of joints and function to stabilize the limb, known as collateral ligaments?

• A. Capsular ligaments
• B. Collateral ligaments
• C. Sesamoidean ligaments
• D. Interosseous ligaments

Answer: (B)

Collateral ligaments are the bands on the sides of joints that stabilize the limb. They run along the inner (medial) and outer (lateral) aspects of a joint and tighten when the joint tries to move abnormally to either side, helping to keep the limb aligned under load. This side-to-side stabilizing function is what defines them as collateral ligaments. Other ligaments around a joint serve different roles: capsular ligaments are part of the joint capsule itself; sesamoidean ligaments support the sesamoid bones near the fetlock; interosseous ligaments connect bones within a region. But the distinctive side-by-side stabilizers are the collateral ligaments.