What anatomical structure attaches muscle to bone?

The correct answer is tendon, which is a fibrous connective tissue that specifically connects muscles to bones. Tendons are crucial for facilitating movement, as they transmit the force generated by muscles to the skeleton, allowing for joint movement and stability. When a muscle contracts, the tendon pulls on the bone, which enables motion at the joint.

While ligaments, cartilage, and aponeurosis are also involved in the musculoskeletal system, they serve different functions. Ligaments connect bones to other bones at joints, providing stability and support. Cartilage is a flexible tissue that serves a variety of functions, such as providing cushioning at joint surfaces and enabling smoother movement between bones. An aponeurosis is a type of tendon that is flat and broad, usually serving to attach a muscle to another muscle or to bone, but it is still categorized under the broader category of tendons.

Understanding the specific role of tendons in connective tissue helps clarify their significance in movement and structure in the human body.