Which anatomical structure connects muscle to bone?

The correct answer is tendon. Tendons are strong, fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, facilitating movement by transmitting the force generated by the muscle to the bone. When a muscle contracts, the tendon pulls on the bone, causing it to move. This connection is essential for all types of voluntary movements in the body.

In contrast, ligaments connect bones to other bones at joints, providing stability and support. Cartilage serves as a cushioning material at joints and provides flexibility, cushioning, and support within the skeletal system, but it does not connect muscles to bones. Joints are the points of articulation between bones, allowing for movement and flexibility, but they do not serve the role of connecting muscle to bone. Thus, tendons play a vital role in the musculoskeletal system, specifically in linking muscle contractions to bone movement.