Which organ system in the human body is primarily responsible for producing and maintaining the alignment and strength of fiber-reinforced connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments?

• A. Skeletal system
• B. Muscular system
• C. Skeletal muscular system
• D. Integumentary system

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the role of connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. Tendons connect muscles to bones, while ligaments connect bones to other bones at joints. Both are composed of fiber-reinforced connective tissue, primarily collagen, which provides strength and flexibility.
2. Step 2: Recognize that the production and maintenance of these connective tissues involve multiple organ systems. The skeletal system provides the structural framework and attachment points for tendons and ligaments, while the muscular system generates forces that act on these tissues.
3. Step 3: Understand the term 'skeletal muscular system.' This term refers to the combined function of the skeletal and muscular systems working together to produce movement, maintain posture, and support connective tissue alignment and strength.
4. Step 4: Consider the role of the integumentary system. While it is responsible for protecting the body and producing certain proteins like keratin, it does not play a primary role in the production or maintenance of tendons and ligaments.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the skeletal muscular system is the correct answer because it encompasses the collaborative functions of the skeletal and muscular systems in maintaining the alignment and strength of fiber-reinforced connective tissues.