What connective tissue unites a muscle with a bone?

Tendons are the connective tissues that unite muscles with bones. They are strong, flexible bands of fibrous connective tissue that transmit the force generated by muscles to the bones, allowing for movement at the joints. When a muscle contracts, the tendon pulls on the bone it is attached to, which facilitates movement.

Other options include cartilage, which serves as a cushioning material between bones at joints but does not connect muscles to bones; ligaments, which connect bone to bone and help stabilize joints; and fascia, which is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles and other structures but does not serve to attach them to bones. Knowing the specific functions of these connective tissues enhances the understanding of how the musculoskeletal system operates, particularly how movement occurs through the interaction of muscles and bones via tendons.