What structure connects muscles to bones?

Tendons are the structures that connect muscles to bones, making them essential for movement. When a muscle contracts, tendon fibers transmit the force to the bone, facilitating motion at the joint. This connection is crucial for a wide range of physical activities, from basic movements like walking to complex actions such as throwing or jumping.

Ligaments, while important for stability, connect bones to other bones at joints rather than connecting muscles to bones. Cartilage serves primarily as a cushion between bones in a joint, providing support and flexibility, but it does not connect muscles. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between moving parts in the body and are not involved in connecting muscles to bones. Thus, tendons specifically serve the critical function of linking muscles to the skeletal system, allowing for coordinated and controlled movement.