[MUSIC] Joan Cartan-Hansen, Host: The skeletal system is more than just bones.

It also has cartilages and ligaments.

Cartilage is a strong, smooth tissue that helps cover and protect joints and bones.

There are three main types of cartilage.

Elastic cartilage provides flexibility and structure.

You'll find it in places like your nose and outer ear.

Fibrocartilage is found in places like your knee and the discs between vertebrae in your spine.

It's tough and inflexible and designed to reduce friction as the joints move.

And hyaline cartilage is found at the end of bones.

It's slippery and allows the joints to move smoothly.

Ligaments are tough, elastic tissue.

They connect bones to bones, and give the joints support.

Some ligaments restrict movement, while other are more elastic.

Now, I should mention something about tendons.

Tendons connect muscles to bones and help transmit force.

Tendons are sometimes confused with ligaments.

So remember, ligaments connect bones to bones and tendons connect muscles to bones.

For more information about skeletons check out the science trek website.

You'll find it at science trek dot org