Difference Between Tendon and Ligament Overview
Tendons attach bone to a skeletal muscle, whereas ligaments join bone to another bone, and this is the most obvious distinction between ligaments and tendons. The structural framework for connective tissues is created by a specific type of cell called a fibroblast, which affects both of these problems. Ligaments are elastic and flexible, while tendons are strong and non-flexible. Both are made of live cells and are essential to joints and bones. They are rich in collagen.
Difference Between Tendon and Ligament
All higher organisms' movement depends heavily on their tendon and ligament systems. The table below summarises the key distinctions between ligaments and tendons:
Basis | Ligaments | Tendons |
Definition | In the body, they join one bone to another. As a result, they are present in the joints. Additionally, they are flexible and facilitate bone movements. | They are present at the ends of skeletal muscles and connect muscle to bone. Additionally, these are fibrous connective tissues. |
Nature | They are elastic and strong | They are inelastic and tough |
Fibroblasts | Fibroblasts are dispersed throughout the ligaments. | In tendons, fibroblasts are found in continuous rows |
Fibres | The fibres are compactly packed and are not arranged in parallel bundles. | Fibres are arranged in tight parallel bundles. |
Joining | At joints, they connect bones together. | They connect the end of muscles to the bone |
Colour | A fibrous connective tissue with a yellow colour makes up a ligament. | The fibrous connective tissue that makes up tendons is white in colour. |
Classification | Their division takes place into categories-peritoneal ligaments,articular ligaments and foetal remnant ligaments | They have no classification within them |
| Example | The calf muscle to the heel bone via the Achilles tendon. Our body's largest tendon is the Achilles tendon. | The anterior cruciate ligament, often known as the ACL, stabilises the knee joint by joining the thigh bone to the shinbone. |
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Definition of Ligaments
A ligament is a type of connective tissue that joins two bones together. In addition, ligaments contain a lot of robust collagen fibers. Furthermore, ligaments resemble bits of string and come in a variety of shapes throughout the human body.
Types of Ligament
- Articular Ligament: Different ligaments may restrict activity or movement at a joint. The articular capsule contains ligaments called capsular ligaments, which are found surrounding synovial joints. Extracapsular ligaments are connective tissues that support other ligaments by joining together. The not so joint ligaments cannot match the strength and range of motion provided by the intracapsular ligaments. Lastly, cruciate ligaments are two ligaments that cross one another in pairs.
- Artificial Ligament: One of the most commonly injured ligaments in the body is the anterior cruciate ligament. When the ACL is damaged, reconstructive surgery is required to restore knee stability. A damaged ligament can be repaired using a variety of methods. A piece of reinforced material used to repair a torn ligament is called an artificial ligament. This synthetic substance is constructed of a polymer, such as PET fibre or polyacrylonitrile.
- Peritoneal ligaments: The ligaments that make up the peritoneal folds are crucial. Examples include the wide ligament of the uterus and a peritoneal fold. The hepatoduodenal ligament also encircles other veins, including the hepatic portal vein.
- Foetal remnant ligaments: When certain foetal tubular structures close and transform into cord-like structures, they are referred to as ligaments.
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Definition of Tendons
A tendon is a type of connective tissue that joins bone to muscle. The tendon's function is to facilitate motion. They are not extremely elastic but are tear-resistant. Ligaments and tendons are components of the skeletal and muscular systems. These are the connective tissues that hold the body's various components together. The ligaments, which are larger, elastic structures that connect bones to other bones, and the tendons, which are thin, elastic structures that connect bone to muscle. Both tendons and ligaments are composed of collagen-containing living cells. These tissues are frequently described as granular, dense connective tissues that support and anchor various organs.
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Structure of Tendon and Ligament
- Ligaments and tendons both have tiny fascicles within them.
- The basic fibril of the tendons or ligaments and fibroblasts are both present in each fascicle.
- The biological cell that creates tendons and ligaments is called a fibroblast.
- The non-linear stress-strain relationship of ligaments and tendons is largely dependent on the crimp or waviness of the fibril.
- Most tissues, including tendons and ligaments, are made up of 70% water, 20% collagen, and 2% ground-up material.
- On the other hand, 70% of its dry weight is made up of collagen.
- A fibrous protein that increases tensile strength is collagen.
- Collagen fibre arrangements differ across ligaments and tendons.
- Ligaments are organised into a network that is random and loosely packed but dense.
- The arrangement of tendon tissue is linear, parallel, and organized.
- This enables tendons to withstand significant uniaxial (unidirectional) tensile loads during activity, in contrast to ligaments, which typically carry tensile loads in one direction and reduced tensile loads in other directions.
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Functional Difference Between Tendon and Ligament
Tendon | Ligament |
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Common Injuries seen in Tendon and Ligament
Tendon Injuries
People who play sports frequently sustain tendon injuries. Tendons are involved in 30 to 50 percent of sports injuries. A strain that harms a tendon or the muscle to which it attaches is a typical sports injury. The damage may be extremely painful. The recovery process from a serious strain could take a while.
When you fall or suddenly twist the tendon, a strain may develop. People who aren't active may be more prone to injury, especially if they abruptly start moving around or because their muscles are weak from inactivity.
- Tendonitis: An inflamed tendon is known as tendonitis. Although trauma, such as a strain, can cause tendinitis, overuse injuries account for the majority of cases. Patients with tendonitis may notice that the affected area is uncomfortable and swollen to the touch. Similar to a muscle strain, tendinosis typically develops over several months or years as a result of overuse or poor sports technique.
- Subluxation: When a tendon dislocates, subluxation happens. When anything snaps or pops, the injured joint may experience pain and numbness. Pain occasionally comes and goes. Subluxation is more likely to occur due to specific inherited anatomical variations, but tendon snapping can also happen as a result of an injury.
Ligament Injuries
When a ligament strains or tears, it becomes sprained. It could be a bothersome annoyance or a serious injury that takes a long time to recover from. Sprains in the knees, ankles, and wrists can result from falls. These wounds may develop if a person falls awkwardly, stretching and twisting the ligaments.
Sprains are divided into three groups by doctors: mild, moderate, and severe.
Grade 1: Mild sprains in which the ligament does not break but the ligament fibres stretch.
Grade 2: Moderate ligament tears and sprains.
Grade 3: Complete ligament rips result from severe injuries called sprains. This kind of sprain immobilises the joint, making it unstable and frequently requiring medical attention.
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Treatment of Tendon and Ligament Injuries
Injuries to ligaments and tendons are treated in very similar ways. Typically, they call for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Visit your doctor if you experience discomfort or swelling for a precise diagnosis and suitable treatment plan. In the meantime, doctors recommend:
- Rest: Until full healing has begun, try to keep your wounded body part immobile. If necessary, crutches and immobilization braces may make this process simpler.
- Ice: As you heal, apply ice to the damaged area for 20 minutes at a time, multiple times each day, while wrapping the ice in a towel to protect the skin.
- Compression: Use a compression bandage to lessen swelling. Wrap the bandage so that it is snug but not painfully so.
- Elevation: Your wounded body part will heal faster if you keep it elevated above your heart.
- Medication: As needed, over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories may help you feel less discomfort and swelling.