What structure forms tendons?

Tendons are connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, and they are primarily formed from the same types of connective tissue that make up the protective sheaths surrounding muscle fibers. These sheaths are known as epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium.

The epimysium envelops the entire muscle, while the perimysium surrounds bundles of muscle fibers, and the endomysium wraps individual muscle fibers. When muscles contract, the force is transmitted through these layers of connective tissue, contributing to the formation of tendons. As muscles develop and become stronger, the connective tissues associated with them adapt and create these tendons, enabling efficient movement.

The other structures listed—ligaments, fascia, and cartilage—serve different purposes in the body. Ligaments connect bone to bone, fascia provides a sheath for muscles, and cartilage is a flexible tissue that cushions joints but does not form tendons. Understanding the role and composition of these connective tissues is vital for comprehending how tendons are structured and function.