ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

Which structure in the body is primarily responsible for connecting one bone to another?

1. Tendon

2. Cartilage

3. Ligament

4. Joint capsule

The correct answer is: Ligament

The correct answer is a structure that plays a vital role in the skeletal system by connecting bones to one another. Ligaments are fibrous connective tissues that provide stability and support to joints, helping to maintain proper alignment during movement. They allow for a certain degree of motion while preventing excessive movement that could lead to injury, thus playing a crucial role in joint health and function. For example, in the knee, the ligaments such as the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) are essential for stabilizing the joint during activities like running and jumping. Tendons, while important for connecting muscles to bones and facilitating movement, do not connect bones to bones. Cartilage serves as a cushion that protects the ends of bones in joints, allowing for smooth movement and absorbing shock, but it does not connect bones directly. Joint capsules encase joints and contain synovial fluid for lubrication, but they do not serve as connective structures between bones. Thus, ligaments are specifically designed for the purpose of connecting one bone to another.