What is the function of ligaments in a joint?

• A. To connect bones and provide stability to the joint
• B. To produce synovial fluid
• C. To cushion bones during movement
• D. To connect bones and provide stability to the joint

Answer: (D)

Ligaments connect bones across a joint and provide stability. They are tough bands of collagen-rich connective tissue that hold the bones together, guide joint movement, and limit excessive or unwanted motions to keep the joint properly aligned. They operate as passive stabilizers, meaning they don’t actively contract like muscles but rather restrain movement to protect the joint.

Producing synovial fluid comes from the synovial membrane lining the joint capsule, not from ligaments. Cushioning bones during movement is mainly the job of articular cartilage (and, in some joints, structures like menisci or bursae), not the ligaments. So the function described—connecting bones and stabilizing the joint—best fits what ligaments do. In practice, this helps explain how ligament health and integrity influence joint stability during movement and massage assessment.