What is the difference between tendons and ligaments? Do you want to know? We will help you to learn the difference between both of them. So let’s explore the article.
Tendons and ligaments both are connective tissues. Both are the essential component for the proper functioning of the skeletal and muscular system. Tendons are cord-like, strong, inelastic structures that join skeletal muscles to bones while ligaments are elastic structures which connect bones to bones in joints.
To better understand the difference it is important to understand the terms individually.
Tendons
Tendons are fibrous connective tissues that are present at joints, they attach muscles to bones. Tendons are tough and inelastic and are composed of white fibrous connective tissues. In tendons, fibers are arranged in parallel bundles and fibroblasts lie in continuous rows in tendons. A tear or stretch in tendons is known as strain. Tendons have a heavy blood supply.
The most common injuries associated with tendons are tenosynovitis, avulsion, and tendinitis. Tendons also keep coordination between the muscle and bones as with stretching one relaxes, and other tightens. The common example of tendons is the Achilles’ tendon; it connects calf muscle to the heel. Proteoglycan content is less than ligaments.
Ligaments
Ligaments are fibrous connective tissue that attaches bones to bones at the joins. Ligaments are composed of yellow fibrous connective tissues. Ligaments have compactly arranged fibers that do not have parallel bundles and fibroblasts are scattered in the ligaments. Ligaments have a comparatively poor blood supply.
Ligaments are strong and elastic in nature. A tear or stretch in ligament is known as a sprain. The ligament is further classified into three-fetal remnant ligaments, peritoneal ligaments and articular ligaments and the interconnector ligament is primarily formed with yellow elastic tissue modification along with collagen fibers. Proteoglycan content is more than tendons.
Now have a look at the difference between Tendons and Ligaments.
Composed of
Tendons are composed of white fibrous connective tissues whereas Ligaments are composed of yellow fibrous connective tissues.
Nature
Tendons are inelastic and tough while ligaments are elastic and strong.
Collagen content
Collagen content in tendons is more than ligaments.
It joints
Tendons connect an end of the muscles to any place of the bone while ligaments connect bones to bones at a joints.
Fibers arrangement
In tendons, fibers are present as compact parallel bundles while in ligaments the fibers are compactly packed and are not arranged in parallel bundles.
Fibroblasts
Fibroblasts lie in continuous rows in tendons while they are scattered in the ligaments.
Injury
A tear or stretch in tendons is known as strain while in ligaments it is known as a sprain.