Ligaments & Tendons Flashcards
1
Q
What do ligaments do?
A
BONE TO BONE CARTILAGE TO CARTILAGE Mechanical stability of joints Guide joint motion Prevent excessive motion
2
Q
What do tendons do?
A
MUSCLES & BONES
Aid joint stability
Transmit tensile loads
3
Q
What is similar about tendon and ligament composition?
A
Dense connective tissues consisting of parallel fibres
Fibroblasts which synthesise and remodel extracellular matrix (ECM)
ECM makes up 80% of tissue volume
Sparsely vascularised
4
Q
What is ECM made of?
A
Water
Collagen, ground substance (proteoglycans & glycoproteins)
5
Q
Why do tendons & ligaments have a poor capacity for healing?
A
Poorly vascularised
6
Q
Name the parts of a tendon/ligament getting smaller and smaller.
A
Tendon/ligament Fascicle Fibril Subfibril Microfibril Tropocollagen
7
Q
Which has more collagen; tendons or ligaments?
A
Tendons
8
Q
Which has more elastin; tendons or ligaments?
A
Ligaments
9
Q
Which has more well organised fibres; tendons or ligaments?
A
Tendons
