What connects muscles to bones?

The correct answer is tendons, which are the fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. When muscles contract, the force is transmitted through the tendons, leading to movement of the bones they are attached to. This connection is crucial for the mechanics of movement in the body, allowing skeletal muscles to exert force on the bones and create locomotion and various physical activities.

Cartilage, while also a connective tissue, primarily serves as a cushioning material between bones at joints and is not involved in connecting muscles to bones. Ligaments, on the other hand, connect bones to other bones and provide stability to the joints rather than serving the function of muscle attachment. Fascia is a layer of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, but it does not directly connect muscles to bones like tendons do. Understanding the specific roles of these tissues is key in anatomy and physiology, particularly in fields related to movement and rehabilitation.