What does a ligament do?

• A. Connects muscle to bone
• B. Connects bone to bone
• C. Contains synovial fluid
• D. Produces cartilage

Answer: (B)

Ligaments are the tough bands of connective tissue that connect bones to other bones across a joint. Their main job is to stabilize the joint and limit excessive or abnormal movement, helping keep the bones properly aligned during activity. They’re built mainly from collagen fibers, which resist pulling forces that could destabilize the joint.

This is different from tendons, which attach muscle to bone to transmit muscle force for movement. Ligaments do not contain or produce synovial fluid—that lubrication sits in the joint cavity provided by the synovial membrane. They also don’t produce cartilage; cartilage is formed by cartilage cells in cartilage tissue, not by ligaments.