An Illustrated and Cross-Referenced Glossary of
Malacological and Conchological Terms

by Paul S. Mikkelsen

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Term Definition

INNER LIGAMENT   See: LIGAMENT, INNER.
   

LIGAMENT   A band of tough, brown, elastic material which unites the dorsal margins of a clam, usually posterior to the BEAKS, sometimes externally visible, rarely internal; causes the valves to open when the adductor muscles relax; see also: ALIVINCULAR; AMPHIDETIC; BOURRELET; CARTILAGE; DUPLIVINCULAR; LIGAMENT, FIBROUS; MULTIVINCULAR; PARIVINCULAR; RESILIAL RIDGE. TENSILIUM.

See: Bivalve terminology, Anatomy of bivalves by Marlo Krisberg.
   

LIGAMENT FULCRUM   Narrow, lunate platform extending posteriorly from beak along dorsal margin and serving for attachment of ligament; = NYMPH.
   

LIGAMENT GROOVE   Narrow depression in CARDINAL AREA for attachment of fibers of the LIGAMENT.
   

LIGAMENT PIT   Relatively broad depression in cardinal area for attachment of ligament in bivalves; see also: CHONDROPHORE; COCHLEATE.
   

LIGAMENT RIDGE   Narrow ridge or lamina formed by projection of outer layer of shell wall into body cavity of many rudists (particularly hippuritids and radiolitids), thought to have served for attachment of ligament.
   

LIGAMENT STRUCTURE   Elongated space behind UMBONES apparent after erosion of LIGAMENT.
   

LIGAMENT, EXTERNAL   That part of the ligament visible from outside the bivalve shell, consisting of a LAMELLAR LAYER under tensional stress. See illustration: Composite Bivalve. See also: LIGAMENT, (types).
   

LIGAMENT, FIBROUS   See: LIGAMENT, INNER. See also: LIGAMENT, (types).
   

LIGAMENT, INTERNAL   (1) = RESILIUM; (2) Inner layer of ligament; = FIBROUS LIGAMENT. See also: LIGAMENT, (types).
   

LIGAMENT, LAMELLAR   Part of ligament characterized by lamellar structure and containing no CALCIUM CARBONATE; secreted at mantle edge and elastic to both compressional and tensional stresses. See also: LIGAMENT, (types).
   

LIGAMENT, PRIMARY   Part of ligament, of bivalves, representing original condition of structure, consisting of PERIOSTRACUM and lamellar and fibrous layers, but excluding secondary additions, notably FUSION LAYER. See also: LIGAMENT, (types).
   

LIGAMENTIFEROUS   Having or containing the LIGAMENT, e.g., the CARDINAL PIT of Mya spp.
   

OUTER (layer of) LIGAMENT   Same as LAMELLAR LIGAMENT.
   


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