Question

Your friend is trying to convince you that if the ligaments binding the bones together at your freely movable joints (such as your knee, shoulder, and hip joints) contained a higher percentage of elastic fibers, you would be much more flexible. Is this true? If so, would this present any serious problems?

Answer 1

If ligaments comprise greater number of elastic fibers they would become more stretchy, therefore, the joints would turn out more flexible. Though the prime role of the ligaments is to join bones together in a secured manner so that proper monitored movement of joint can take place.

The presence of greater number of elastic ligaments would lead to floppy joints in which the bones taking part in the joint would become more vulnerable to dislocation and misalignment.

Answer 2

If the ligaments of the joints contained high percentage of the elastic fibers then, the joints would have been more freely movable. They would be more stretchy and flexible. But the ligaments around the joints keep the bones together and aid in the controlled movements of these joints. If the percentage of the elastic fibers in the ligaments joining these is to be increased, then the joints will become floopy and will be prone to dislocation and misalignment.