The musculoskeletal system includes which components?

• A. Muscles only
• B. Nerves and blood vessels
• C. Skin and hair
• D. Bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons

Answer: (C)

Movement relies on the framework of bones and their connecting tissues, along with the muscles that pull on them. The bones provide structure and protection, cartilage cushions joints, ligaments hold bones together at joints, and tendons connect muscles to bones to transmit force for movement. Muscles are a major part of the musculoskeletal system, even though they aren’t listed separately in the options. Among the choices, the set that includes bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons reflects the key structural components of this system. The other options describe parts of other body systems (nervous and circulatory; integumentary), which aren’t the components of the musculoskeletal system.