Skeletal muscle attaches to bone by means of what structure?

Skeletal muscle attaches to bone through tendons, which are strong, fibrous connective tissues. Tendons function to connect the muscle to the bone and are essential for facilitating movement. When a muscle contracts, the force generated is transmitted through the tendon to the bone, enabling the movement of joints. This attachment system allows for efficient force transfer and plays a crucial role in our ability to perform various physical activities.

Ligaments, on the other hand, connect one bone to another at joints and provide stability, but they do not attach muscles to bones. Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue that covers the surfaces of bones at joints, providing cushioning and reducing friction, but it also does not serve the purpose of attaching muscles. Muscle fibers are the individual cells that make up the muscle itself, and while they are essential for muscle contraction, they do not serve as the connecting structure between muscles and bones. Thus, tendons are the appropriate structure for this connection.