A sprain involves injury to which connective tissues?

A sprain involves injury to which connective tissues?

• A. Bones and muscles
• B. Fascia and joint capsules
• C. Ligaments and joint capsules
• D. Muscles and tendons

Answer: (C)

A sprain is best understood as an injury to the ligaments that stabilize a joint. Ligaments connect bones and limit excessive motion, so tearing or overstretching them is the hallmark of a sprain. The joint capsule, a fibrous envelope surrounding the joint, can be damaged too in and around the same mechanism, so referencing both ligaments and the joint capsule aligns with the typical injury pattern. In contrast, injuries to bones describe fractures, and injuries to muscles or tendons describe strains; fascia alone isn’t the primary structure involved in a sprain, and muscles and tendons point toward a strain rather than a sprain.

A sprain is best understood as an injury to the ligaments that stabilize a joint. Ligaments connect bones and limit excessive motion, so tearing or overstretching them is the hallmark of a sprain. The joint capsule, a fibrous envelope surrounding the joint, can be damaged too in and around the same mechanism, so referencing both ligaments and the joint capsule aligns with the typical injury pattern. In contrast, injuries to bones describe fractures, and injuries to muscles or tendons describe strains; fascia alone isn’t the primary structure involved in a sprain, and muscles and tendons point toward a strain rather than a sprain.