Which tissue attaches muscle to bone and allows movement?

• A. Ligament
• B. Cartilage
• C. Muscle
• D. Tendon

Answer: (D)

The tissue that attaches muscle to bone and allows movement is the tendon. Tendons are dense regular connective tissue with tightly packed collagen fibers that run in parallel to transmit the force generated by a contracting muscle to the bone it pulls on. This transfer of force causes the bone to move at the joint.

Tendons differ from ligaments, which connect bone to bone to stabilize joints rather than move them. They also differ from cartilage, which provides smooth surfaces and cushioning within joints. And they differ from muscle itself, which generates the force but does not connect directly to bone to move it. A practical example is the Achilles tendon, which links the calf muscle to the heel bone and enables the foot to push off when walking or running.