Which connective tissue connects muscle to bone?

• A. Tendons
• B. Ligaments
• C. Fascia
• D. Cartilage

Answer: (A)

Muscle movement relies on a tissue that directly links a muscle to the bone it moves. This tissue is a tendon, a dense regular connective tissue with collagen fibers aligned to resist the pulling forces of contraction. Tendons connect the muscle belly to the bone and transmit the muscle’s force to the skeleton, producing joint movement. Ligaments, by contrast, connect bone to bone and help stabilize joints. Fascia surrounds and compartmentalizes muscles and other structures, not directly connecting muscle to bone. Cartilage lines joint surfaces to reduce friction and absorb shock, not to attach muscle to bone.