How do ligaments differ from tendons?

Ligaments are primarily responsible for connecting bones to other bones at joints, providing stability and support during movement. This structural role is essential for maintaining the integrity of the joints and preventing dislocations. Tendons, on the other hand, are the fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, facilitating movement by transmitting force from the muscle to the skeleton. Understanding this fundamental difference is crucial in the study of human anatomy and injury prevention in physical therapy.

The choice that states ligaments hold bones together at joints, while tendons attach muscles to bones effectively captures the distinct functions and attachments of these two types of connective tissue. The site of attachment and the function they serve are key differentiators between ligaments and tendons.