What attaches skeletal muscle to the bone?

The correct answer is tendons. Tendons are the connective tissues that attach skeletal muscles to bones, enabling movement by transmitting the force generated by muscle contractions to the skeleton. When a muscle contracts, the tendon pulls on the bone, resulting in movement at the joint where the bone is connected. This muscle-tendon-bone continuum is essential for voluntary movement and stability in the skeletal system.

Fascia, while a connective tissue, primarily serves to surround and compartmentalize muscles rather than attach them to bones. Ligaments connect bone to bone and provide joint stability but do not have a role in connecting muscles to bones. Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in joints, but it does not serve to attach muscles to bones. Thus, tendons are specifically designed for this purpose, making them the correct choice.