Difference Between Tendons and Ligaments

Tendons_Vs_ligaments_

Tendons attach or support the joints between muscles and bones, while ligaments support the joints between bones.
Tendons are strong and non-flexible, whereas ligaments are flexible and elastic. Both being the part of the
musculoskeletal system, play the vital role in the joints and bones and thus responsible for all kinds of movements in
the body.
As we all know that the human body consists of 206 bones, these bones are composed of movable and non-movable
joints of the bones. These bones are further reduced to many parts to perform many special functions like moving the
hands, legs, sitting, walking, etc. Two of these important parts that perform the important part in the body movement
are tendons and ligaments.
The movement of the body parts is only possible because of the presence of these structures only. Although the
structure of the two is not yet well understood to notice the difference between them. But there function and working
are different through which we may understand the difference between them.
Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
TENDONS LIGAMENTS
COMPARISON

Definition Tendon connects muscles to bone, and Ligaments connect one bone to another bone and so
are present at the end of skeletal are found in joints. These are also the kind of
muscles. These are the fibrous connective tissue which is stronger and flexible and
connective tissue non-elastic. helps in movements of the bones.

Nature Tendons are inelastic and tough. Ligaments are elastic and strong.

Fibres Fibres are present as compact parallel Fibres are compactly packed and not arranged in
bundles. parallel bundles.

Fibroblasts In tendon, fibroblasts lie in continuous In ligaments, fibroblasts are scattered.

rows.

Formed of Tendons are made of white fibrous Ligaments are made of yellow fibrous connective
connective tissue. tissue.

It joins Tendons connect end of the muscles to It connects bones to bones at a joints.
any place of the bone.

Classification No classification. They are divided into three categories-peritoneal

ligaments, fetal remnant ligaments, and articular
ligaments.

Cartilage is an important structural component of the body. It is a firm tissue but is softer and much more flexible than
bone. Cartilage is a connective tissue found in many areas of the body including: Joints between bones e.g. the
elbows, knees and ankles
A joint or articulation (or articular surface) is the connection made between bones in the body which link the skeletal
system into a functional whole. They are constructed to allow for different degrees and types of movement.
... Joints are classified both structurally and functionally.
A tendon or sinew is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of
withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments; both are made of collagen. Ligaments join one bone to bone,
whiletendons connect muscle to bone for a proper functioning of the body.