What structure do muscles need to create movement in the skeleton?

Muscles create movement in the skeleton through tendons, which are the connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. When a muscle contracts, it pulls on the tendon, which then exerts force on the bone, leading to movement at the joint. This connection allows for the transfer of force generated by muscle contraction directly to the skeleton, allowing for a wide range of motions necessary for various physical activities.

Other structures, such as ligaments, cartilage, and discs, serve different purposes. Ligaments connect bone to bone and provide stability to joints rather than facilitating movement. Cartilage serves as a cushion between bones, reducing friction and absorbing shock in joints, while discs, often referring to intervertebral discs, act as shock absorbers in the spine. These structures are crucial for overall joint function and integrity but do not play a direct role in the creation of movement like tendons do.