Difference between Tendon and Ligament

Tendon and ligament are the fibrous connective tissues composed of collagen fiber. These fibers give them a high tensile strength; thus, both tendons and ligaments play a significant role in musculoskeletal biomechanics. Moreover, these fibrous bands of connective tissues are active in stabilizing the skeleton & making our move.

Despite many differences between the two, tendons and ligaments help sustain injuries through the fascicles present. Tendons are pretty strong with no flexibility. Whereas, on the other hand, ligaments are soft and flexible, connecting bone to bone. Let’s dig into the article below to grasp more differences between the two. We will start by presenting a brief comparison table.

Comparison Table

Basis of Comparison	Tendons	Ligaments
Connecting Capability	Skeletal muscles to bones	Bones to bones
Nature	Strong and non-flexible	Soft and flexible
Modified From	White Fibrous Tissue	White/Yellow Elastic Tissue
Classification	None	Into further three types
Fibroblast Nature	Lies in continuous rows	In scattered form
Fibers Nature	Compact & parallel bundle	Compact
Proteoglycan Amount	Low	Comparatively High

Explain Tendons

These abundant connective tissues in a body help connect muscles to the bones. Therefore, a tendon is a part of the muscle unit as it can never function without muscle acting as a mediator. Moreover, these fibrous tissues have an important but limited ability to stretch.

Composition of Fibrous Connective Tissues

Tendons entirely consist of the fibrous tissues that have collagen fibers inside. So, the primary tendon units are the collagen fibers formed from a bunch of collagen fibrils. These fibrils are previously prepared from a bundle of fibers, also termed as subfasicle. Then comes the secondary fiber bundle from these subfasicles that are pronounced as fascicles. Furthermore, all these fascicles together generate the tertiary fiber bundles to form an entire tendon unit. Thus, these primary, secondary, and tertiary fibers come covered with connective tissue sheath, called endotenon.

Tendon Sheath

A synovial sheath surrounding the tendon allows them to glide freely and also produce synovial fluid contributing to their nutrition. Besides, tendons can change their direction one or more times in several body regions (foot and ankle) by wrapping around the bony pulleys.

Tendonitis

Tendon inflammation occurs when torn due to stretching beyond the capacity, such as during the sport. Tendons vary in shape and length. If the muscle has a long tendon at one end, it usually has a shorter one at the other end. Besides, tendons are not uniform in composition along their length. There is regional variation in water and collagen. When the tendon wraps up bony pulleys, it may contain type II collagen.

Explain Ligaments

Ligaments are the fibrous connective tissues, function as a bridge to connect a bone with other bone, and are also called articular ligaments, true ligaments, and articular larua. They are found at the joints to stabilize them, allowing all kinds of motions, from simple to complex. There are approximately 900 ligaments in the human body. The injury in ligaments is called sprain (stretching or tearing of ligaments).

As all ligaments are connective tissues, these fibrous cells are composed of extremely condensed collagen fibers (spindle in shape), called fibrocytes. If we generally see, there are two ligament types, such as white fibrous ligaments and yellow fibrous ligaments. The former has more collagen fibers than the latter one, so it’s more tough and inelastic. On the other hand, the yellow ligament is pretty soft and elastic. The main ligament classification is in three types:

• Peritoneal Ligaments
• Fetal Remnant Ligaments

Peritoneal Ligaments

Peritoneal ligaments are a double layer of the peritoneum from the lining of the abdominal cavity. These can be in the stomach and spleen that has several important functions.

Peritoneal Ligaments of the Stomach

• Lesser omentum
• Hepatogastric ligament
• Hepatoduodenal ligament
• Gastro splenic ligament
• Greater omentum

Peritoneal Ligaments of the Spleen

• Splenorenal ligament
• Phrenic colic ligament

Fetal Remnant Ligaments

These are the remnants of the fetal tubular structure, hence present since the time of birth.

Differences between Tendons and Ligaments

We have mentioned below the differences between tendons and ligaments separately below for your improved understanding. So, do check them out!

Description

Tendons

These are the inelastic yet flexible fibrous connective tissues that work to connect skeletal muscles and bones.

Ligaments

These are the short fibrous connective tissues connecting a bone to another bone. A ligament can also hold two joints together.

Presence

Tendons

These are present at the tips of all skeletal muscles and are modified from white fibrous tissues.

Ligaments

In contrast, ligaments are present in all joints, modified from white or yellow elastic tissues.

Nature of Tissues

Tendons

Such fibrous tissues are tough and highly inelastic.

Ligaments

As these connect bone to bone, thus are very smooth and flexible.

Fibroblasts & Fibers

Tendons

Tendons arrange fibroblasts in continuous rows, while the fibers are densely arranged in parallel bundles.

Ligaments

On the contrary, ligaments have scattered fibroblasts with similar dense structures, but no parallel activity is seen.

Types of Injuries

Both the connective tissues can cause several injuries but of different types.

Tendons

If there is excessive external pressure on tendons, it may cause tenosynovitis, tendinitis, and avulsion.

Ligaments

On the other hand, extreme outside pressure on ligaments can tear them apart and causes sprains.

The Outlook

We see both contrasting terminologies as very important for a human’s skeletal system. Despite many unique differences, tendons and ligaments will remain the musculoskeletal system’s components of dense collagen fiber layers.