Question

Define the following : tendon, ligament and cartilage.

Answer 1

(i) Tendons are cord-like, strong inelastic structures that join skeletal muscles to bones.

(ii) Ligaments are elastic structures which connect bones to bones.

(iii) Cartilage is a tough, flexible connective tissue found in all vertebrates consisting of cartilage cells (chondrocyte) in a matrix of collagen fibres and a rubbery protein gel (containing molecules such as chondrin).