The tough band of fibrous tissue that connects a muscle to a bone is called a tendon.
Tendons transmit the force produced when muscles contract, allowing bones and joints to move. They are made mainly of dense, regularly arranged connective tissue containing parallel bundles of collagen fibers. This structure gives tendons considerable tensile strength while allowing them to withstand repeated pulling forces.
A familiar example is the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and helps produce movements such as walking, running, and jumping. Tendons can also store and release elastic energy during locomotion, contributing to efficient movement.
The most common mix-up is between tendons and ligaments. Tendons connect muscle to bone; ligaments connect bone to bone and help stabilize joints. Fascia is another related connective tissue, but it forms sheets and coverings around muscles and other structures rather than serving as the primary muscle-to-bone link. Cartilage cushions joints and supports certain body structures.