What type of connective tissue connects muscles to bones?

Tendons are the connective tissues that specifically connect muscles to bones, allowing the muscles to exert force on the bones when they contract. This connection is crucial for movement, as it enables the necessary transmission of muscle force to skeletal structures. Tendons are composed primarily of collagen fibers, providing them with the strength and flexibility required to handle the tension generated during muscle contractions.

Understanding this role is important in fields related to anatomy, physiology, and medicine, particularly when considering injuries or conditions that may affect movement and function. The other types of connective tissue mentioned serve different purposes; ligaments connect bones to other bones, cartilage provides support and cushioning at joints, and fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, but it does not directly connect muscles to bones like tendons do.