Quick answer
A tendon connects muscle to bone — it transmits the pull of a muscle so the bone moves. A ligament connects bone to bone, holding a joint together and limiting how far it can travel. Both are tough bands of connective tissue, and the difference is entirely in what sits at each end.
The core difference
- tendon — muscle to bone. Transmits force so movement happens. The Achilles tendon joins the calf muscles to the heel.
- ligament — bone to bone. Stabilises a joint and limits its range. The knee's cruciate ligaments hold the joint in alignment.
A way to remember it
Ligament shares a root with ligature and oblige — Latin ligare, to bind. A ligament binds two bones. Tendon comes from Latin tendere, to stretch, the same root as tension — a tendon transmits pull.
Related words
Cartilage is different again: smooth tissue cushioning the ends of bones rather than connecting anything. Sinew is an older, non-technical word usually meaning tendon.
This page explains the words. It is not medical guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What connects muscle to bone?
A tendon. Ligaments connect bone to bone.
How can I remember which is which?
Ligament comes from Latin ligare, to bind — it binds bone to bone. Tendon comes from tendere, to stretch, the root of tension — it transmits a muscle's pull.
Is cartilage the same as a ligament?
No. Cartilage cushions the ends of bones within a joint; a ligament is a band connecting one bone to another.
