The important differences between ligaments and tendons are discussed below:
A tendon is a fibrous connective tissue which attaches muscle to bone. Tendons may also attach muscles to structures such as the eyeball. A tendon serves to move the bone or structure. A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue which attaches bone to bone, and usually serves to hold structures together and keep them stable.
| Tendons | Ligaments |
| Connects skeletal muscles to bones | Connects bones to bones |
| Tough and elastic | Elastic |
| Connects the end of the muscles to bones | Connects the end of the bones at joints |
| Each muscle contains only one tendon. | Each joint contains many ligaments |
| Proteoglycan content is low | Proteoglycan content is comparatively more |
| White in colour | Yellow in colour |
| Blood supply is poor | Blood supply is just as poor |
| Fibroblasts lie in a continuous row | Fibroblasts are scattered |
| The fibres are compact and present in parallel bundles | They are not arranged in parallel bundles but are compactly packed |
| No such classification | They are classified into three types, namely: Articular ligaments, Remnant ligaments and Peritoneal ligaments |
How is a tendon different from a ligament?
Tendons are cord-like structures that transmit muscular force to a bone. On the contrary, ligaments are the structures that connect a bone to a bone.
What is a ligament?
A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones. They are elastic with a poor blood supply. They appear as criss-cross bands.
What is a tendon?
A tendon is a tough fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendons have many functions from passively modulating forces during locomotion to providing additional stability with no active work. The largest and the strongest tendon in the human body is the Achilles tendon. It is also the thickest tendon in the human body.
How is a tendon different from a nerve?
A tendon is a bundle of inelastic fibrous tissues that connects a muscle to a bone, whereas a nerve is a bundle of neurons with blood vessels, connective tissue sheaths, and lymphatics.
What is a tendon tear?
A tendon tear is a condition in which a tendon separates in whole or in part from the tissue to which it is attached.
Also refer:
- Download the pdf of Important MCQs From the History Of Ancient India
- List Of Important Inscriptions In India
- Science
- Difference between
