A person’s bones, muscles, and joints make up the musculoskeletal system.
Bones meet each other at places called joints. Tendons and ligaments connect bones to muscles and help support movement.
At the end of each bone is a smooth, protective layer called cartilage. There are also soft tissues (called synovial membranes) that make a fluid (synovial fluid). This fluid helps the bones move smoothly and easily within the joints.