Tendons and ligaments are confusing. Do tendons connect bone to muscle? Muscle to muscle? Do ligaments connect bone to muscle?

Okay so here is where I lean into structures that I am confident about.  Those structures that I’ve been familiar with for years, even before my first anatomy class. 

A tendon is defined as a flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching muscle to bone.

A ligament is defined as a short band of tough, flexible fibrous connective tissue which connects two bones or cartilage or holds a joint in position.

Often confused.

Tendons first

Arguably the most famous tendon in the body is the Achilles tendon.  It connects the heel bone to the muscles of the foreleg.  Specifically, it connects the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in the calf to an insertion point at the calcaneus.  The Achilles tendon connects muscle to bone.

Now ligaments

All embalmers are familiar with the Inguinal ligament.  It’s discussed in the guide for the femoral artery.  It’s the ligament that attaches the anterior spine of the iliac to the pubic tubercle.  The inguinal ligament connects bone to bone.