Final answer:
Skeletal muscles are connected to bones via tendons, which are strong bands of connective tissue that transfer the force of muscle contractions to bones, enabling movement. This connection is part of the musculoskeletal system that facilitates various body movements and posture maintenance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Skeletal muscles are connected to bones by tough connective tissues known as tendons. These tendons are crucial as they transmit the force generated during muscle contraction to the bones, causing movement. When a skeletal muscle contracts, it shortens, pulling on the bone to which it is attached via a tendon, thereby facilitating movement.
The musculoskeletal system includes both the muscular and skeletal systems working in tandem to produce body movements. This system not only allows for a variety of motions, such as walking and maintaining balance but is also responsible for maintaining posture.
The structure of skeletal muscles involves muscle fibers grouped into bundles surrounded by connective tissue, which provides support, pathways for blood vessels and nerves, and the means to attach these muscles to bones. This intricate combination of muscle fibers, connective tissue, and tendons enables the muscles to withstand the forces of contraction and perform their function effectively.