Ligaments & Tendons

Ligaments and tendons are critical fibrous connective tissues with distinct roles in musculoskeletal stability. Ligaments, primarily composed of collagen, attach bones to other bones and serve to stabilize joints and muscles, in addition to anchoring internal organs. For instance, the hepatic ligament secures the liver within the abdominal cavity, often housing sensitive structures like blood vessels and gland ducts (Benjamin & Ralphs, 1998, Journal of Anatomy).

Tendons connect muscles to bones and are uniquely designed with high-tensile collagen fibers that resist tearing yet have limited elasticity (Kannus, 2000, Scand J Med Sci Sports). They function to facilitate skeletal movement and mitigate muscle injury through impact absorption (Sharma & Maffulli, 2005, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) posits an association between the liver and "sinews," which includes ligaments and tendons. At the same time, modern interpretations also consider the kidneys to be governing structures for tendons, given their role in connecting muscles to bones (Liu et al., 2011, NIH National Library of Medicine).