Which structure connects muscles to bones?

The structure that connects muscles to bones is a tendon. Tendons are strong, flexible bands of connective tissue that attach muscles to the bone, facilitating movement. When a muscle contracts, it pulls on the tendon, which then exerts force on the bone, leading to movement at the joint. This relationship is critical for all voluntary movements throughout the body, whether it’s lifting a weight, walking, or performing delicate tasks.

Ligaments, on the other hand, connect bones to other bones, providing stability to joints but not directly involved in connecting muscles to bones. Cartilage is a smooth, flexible tissue that covers the ends of bones at joints, reducing friction and absorbing shock, but it does not serve to anchor muscles. Joints are the areas where two bones meet and allow for movement, but they do not directly connect muscles to bones. Understanding the role of tendons is essential for grasping how movement is initiated in the body.