How do tendons and ligaments contribute to movement?

Tendons and ligaments contribute to movement by connecting muscles to bones and bones to each other, respectively.

Tendons and ligaments are both types of connective tissue that play crucial roles in the musculoskeletal system. Tendons, which are tough, flexible bands of fibrous tissue, connect muscles to bones. When a muscle contracts, the tendon pulls on the bone, causing it to move. This is the basic mechanism of how we move our bodies. For example, when you bend your arm, the biceps muscle in your upper arm contracts, pulling on the tendon that is attached to your forearm bone, causing your arm to bend at the elbow.

Ligaments, on the other hand, connect bones to other bones. They are slightly less flexible than tendons and are designed to prevent excessive movement that could damage the joint. Ligaments stabilise joints and help to control the range of motion, preventing movements that could lead to injury. For instance, the ligaments in your knee joint prevent your knee from bending backwards.

Both tendons and ligaments are composed primarily of collagen, a strong and flexible protein. This composition allows them to withstand the forces exerted on them during movement. However, because they are not very elastic, they can be prone to injury if they are stretched beyond their capacity.

In summary, tendons and ligaments are essential for movement. Tendons transmit the force from contracting muscles to bones, causing movement, while ligaments connect bones to each other, stabilising joints and controlling their range of motion. Without tendons and ligaments, our bodies would not be able to move in the coordinated and controlled way that they do.