PLTW Human Body Systems Practice Test

Ligaments play a crucial role in the body by connecting bones to other bones at joints, providing stability and support. The primary composition of a ligament is dense regular connective tissue. This type of tissue consists of tightly packed collagen fibers arranged in a parallel pattern, allowing ligaments to withstand high tensile forces while maintaining their structure. The parallel orientation of these collagen fibers contributes to the strength and resilience of ligaments, making them capable of resisting stretching and providing stability to the joints they connect.

In addition to collagen, ligaments also contain some elastin fibers, which can provide a degree of elasticity, but the predominant feature is the dense arrangement of collagen. This structural composition is critical for the proper functioning of ligaments in the musculoskeletal system, assisting in maintaining joint integrity during movement.

Other connective tissues mentioned, such as skeletal muscle fibers, reticular connective tissue, and elastic cartilage, do not have the same structural properties necessary for the role of ligaments, highlighting the specificity of dense regular connective tissue in this context.