Which type of connective tissue fastens muscle to bone?

The correct answer is tendon because tendons are the type of connective tissue specifically designed to attach muscles to bones. Tendons are made of dense connective tissue and contain collagen fibers that provide strength and flexibility, enabling them to withstand the forces exerted when muscles contract. This connection facilitates movement by allowing the muscle to pull on the bone to create motion at joints.

In contrast, cartilage serves as a cushion between bones at joints, providing support and structure but not connecting muscles to bones. Ligaments connect bone to bone, providing stability to joints, whereas synovium is a tissue that lines joints and produces synovial fluid to lubricate them. Each of these other connective tissues has distinct roles in the musculoskeletal system, underscoring why tendon is the appropriate answer for this specific function.