Howdy dianer522-ga,
Indeed, "check reins" is the correct spelling. It is actually
an equestrian (horse riding) term that has entered the common
language, and means something that checks or holds back something.
It is used in medical descriptions to indicate exactly that,
something (such as ligaments) that holds something else (such
as joints) in place.
From the Wareham Orthopedic Associates web site.
http://www.warehamortho.com/newspr.html
"Each joint in the body has two main support systems - the
ligaments which act like check reins and the muscles which
control joint movement and keep it in normal range."
From the Institute for Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine web site.
http://www.iasm.com/kneepat.html
"The patella is held in place by thin ligaments that act as check
reins, keeping it from coming out of the femoral groove, while the
muscles provide the fine tuning."
From the University of Washington Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
web site.
http://www.orthop.washington.edu/shoulder_elbow/instability/mechanics/constraint/01
"The capsule and ligaments of the glenohumeral joint serve as check
reins to glenohumeral translation and rotation."
If you need any clarification, feel free to ask.
Search Strategy: Personal experience with horses and:
Google search on: "check reins" joints
://www.google.com/search?q=%22check+reins%22+joints
Google search on: "check reins" medical
://www.google.com/search?q=%22check+reins%22+medical
Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher |
