What anatomical structure connects muscles to bones?

Tendons are the anatomical structures that connect muscles to bones, allowing for the transmission of force that enables movement. When muscles contract, they pull on the tendons, which in turn pull on the bones to create motion at the joints. Tendons are made of collagen fibers that provide strength and flexibility, essential for withstanding the forces generated during muscle contraction.

Understanding the role of tendons is crucial in Pilates, as exercises often focus on strengthening the muscles and improving the connections through these tendons for better movement efficiency and injury prevention. The other options, such as ligaments, cartilage, and fascia, serve different functions in the musculoskeletal system. Ligaments connect bones to other bones and provide stability to joints, cartilage provides cushioning between bones, and fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs, but none perform the specific function of connecting muscles to bones like tendons do.