What tough connective tissues join skeletal muscles to bones?

The tendon is the connective tissue that connects bones to skeletal muscles. The tendon works to move the bone. When a muscle contracts, the bone and tendon move with it.

Tendons are mostly composed of water, collagen and proteoglycans. Tendon strength depends on age. The strength in tendons increases from birth up to adulthood, but it decreases after maturity. Tendons can withstand more tension than bones, but they buckle in compression and are slow to heal.

Ligaments consist of the same material as tendons, but they connect bones to one another rather than to muscles. They limit joint movement to protect against overextension and ensure controlled motion.