ATI Pathophysiology Practice Exam

Which of the following tissues connects bones to joints?

1. Tendons

2. Cartilage

3. Ligaments

4. Fascia

The correct answer is: Ligaments

The tissue that connects bones to joints is ligaments. Ligaments are made of dense connective tissue that provides stability to joints by holding the bones together and preventing excessive movement that could lead to injury. They are crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of joints and are designed to withstand tensile forces as they restrict certain movements while allowing for others. Tendons, while similar in composition, connect muscles to bones, enabling movement but not connecting bones to each other. Cartilage, on the other hand, serves to cushion joints and supports structures like the ears and nose but does not connect bones directly. Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs, but it does not play a role in connecting bones to joints either. This contextual understanding highlights the specific functional roles of different connective tissues in the musculoskeletal system.