In: Anatomy and Physiology
. What differences do you see between the tendon and ligament images?
TENDON | LIGAMENT |
Tendon is a structure that connects muscles to bones. |
Ligament is a structure that connects two bones. |
It connects the end of the muscles to any part of the bone. | It connects the ends of two bones, thus giving support to a joint. |
Tendon is tough and elastic, thus making it non-flexible. | Ligament is only elastic and this flexibility of ligament results in the rupture. |
Tendon is ususally white in colour. | Ligament is yellow in colour. |
Each muscle contains only one tendon which is attached to a bone at a particular area. | Each joint contains many ligaments which give support to it it and prevents any dislocations or subluxations. |
Blood supply of a tendon is good as it is supplied by the vessels that supply the muscle. | Blood supply is poor therefore any ruptures of ligaments will not lead to heal quickly. |
Proteoglycan content in tendons is less. | Proteoglycan content is more thus making it more fibrous. |
Fibroblasts are arranged in a continuous row in case of a tendon. | Fibroblasts scattered all over the ligament. |
Tendon is made up of compact fibres arranged in parallel bundles. | Ligaments are also compactly packet but not arranged in parallel bundles. |