What connects muscles to bones?

Tendons are the structures that connect muscles to bones. They are made of strong connective tissue that allows for the transfer of force when a muscle contracts, enabling movement of the skeleton. When a muscle contracts, the tendon pulls on the bone, which leads to motion at the joint where the bone is articulated. This relationship is crucial for all body movements, from walking to intricate hand gestures.

Ligaments, in contrast, connect bones to other bones and provide stability to joints. Cartilage serves as a cushioning material between bones at joints and is essential for smooth movement. Muscle fibers comprise the contractile elements of muscles, but they do not connect muscles to bones. Understanding these distinctions is important for grasping the roles of various structures in the musculoskeletal system.