What is the difference between a ligament and a tendon?

Answer 1

Ligaments are strong rope like structures that connect the joints. They hold the bones together and also allow limited movements of the bones across the joint.

Tendons attach muscles to bones. They are much thinner as compared to muscles, but transmit the force of contraction very effectively.

Answer 2

Connective tissue that connects muscles to bones is called a tendon. The same tissue that connects bone to bone is called a ligament. The difference is an anatomical one not a functional one. One way to remember these is to remember that the Achilles' tendon connects the gastrocnemius muscle to the heel bone (calcaneus). Muscles are connected to bones by tendons.

Answer 3

The difference is that ligaments connect from joint to joint, holding bones together. Tendons connect from a bone to a muscle.