Which connective tissue connects bones at joints and has limited blood flow, leading to slow repair?

• A. Tendon
• B. Cartilage
• C. Ligament
• D. Fascia

Answer: (C)

Ligaments are the tough bands of dense connective tissue that connect bones across a joint, helping stabilize the joint while allowing movement. Their blood supply is relatively limited, especially in deeper or smaller ligament fibers, so nutrients and repair cells reach injuries slowly. This limited vascularity means injuries to ligaments heal slowly and often with scar tissue rather than perfectly restoring original strength.

Tendons connect muscle to bone, not bone to bone, so they’re not the structures that link bones at joints. Cartilage provides a smooth, protective surface within joints and contributes to slow healing due to limited blood supply as well, but it doesn’t connect bones together. Fascia surrounds and separates muscles and other structures, not linking bones at joints.