Passive Structure
Passive Structure: Any tissue crossing a joint that is not actively contracting.
- The passive structures involved in maintaining arthrokinematic motion include the joint capsule and ligaments, as well as, the tonicity of muscles not actively involved in the joint motion. For example, during shoulder abduction, excessive superior glide is opposed by portions of the joint capsule, the inferior glenohumeral ligament, and the inherent tone (resistance to stretch) of the latissimus dorsi and teres major .