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How are tendons different from ligaments?

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Front and back views of the human skeleton are shown side by side, with labeled bones including the skull, spine, ribs, pelvis, arms, legs, hands, and feet. Insets detail the bones of the foot and hand, highlighting major bone groups and anatomical terms. — human skeleton Front and back views of the human skeleton.

Tendons and ligaments are both types of connective tissue composed primarily of collagen, but they serve distinct functions in the human body.12

Tendons: These tissues attach muscle to bone. Their primary role is to transmit the mechanical force generated by muscle contraction to the bones, enabling movement. They possess high tensile strength to withstand the stresses of these contractions.2
Ligaments: These tissues connect bone to bone at a joint. Rather than transmitting muscle force, they provide stability to the joint. While they can stop movements that tighten them, they are not primarily responsible for holding joint surfaces together at rest; that function is typically performed by muscles or gravity.13

While their compositions are similar, their structural roles are specialized: tendons act as the bridge for muscular force, whereas ligaments serve as the stabilizing links between skeletal components.12