What connects muscles to bones?

Tendons are the structures that connect muscles to bones, allowing for the transfer of force generated by muscle contractions to the skeletal system, which facilitates movement. When a muscle contracts, the tendon pulls on the bone to which it is attached, enabling various forms of motion and activity. This connection is crucial for moment-to-moment physical function and plays a significant role in both everyday activities and athletic performance.

Other structures listed serve different functions; for example, ligaments connect bones to other bones and provide joint stability, while cartilage acts as a cushioning material between bones, facilitating smooth movement at joints. Fascia is connective tissue that surrounds muscles and helps support and bind them together but does not connect them directly to bones. Thus, tendons uniquely fulfill the role of linking muscles to bones, making them the correct answer in this context.