Which structure primarily stabilizes synovial joints?

The primary role of ligaments in stabilizing synovial joints is crucial because they are dense bands of connective tissue that connect bones to other bones. They provide passive stability by preventing excessive movement at the joints, ensuring that the bones maintain proper alignment and integrity during various activities. Ligaments contribute to the overall structural integrity of the joint, offering support while allowing for a certain range of motion necessary for mobility.

Cartilage, while essential for cushioning joints and reducing friction, does not provide the same stabilizing functions as ligaments. Tendons connect muscles to bones and are more involved in transmitting force, allowing for movement rather than stabilization. Muscles do play a role in joint stability through their contractions and the dynamic support they provide during movement, but ligaments are the primary static stabilizers of synovial joints. This distinction highlights the specific structural and functional roles each of these components has in the context of joint stability.