Final answer:
A tendon is a tough, fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones or other muscles, comprised mainly of collagen fibers. The epimysium is a dense connective tissue layer enclosing the muscle. These structures work together to transfer the force generated by muscle contraction to the bones or other muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tough, sheet-like structure made of fibrous connective tissue that typically attaches muscles to other muscles or to bones is known as a tendon. Tendons are composed of parallel bundles of collagen fibers which make them not only tough but also elastic, allowing them to withstand tensile stress as muscles contract and relax. An aponeurosis is a similar structure, which is a broad, tendon-like sheet of connective tissue.
Each skeletal muscle has three layers of connective tissue, known as mysia, which enclose and structure the muscle while compartmentalizing the muscle fibers within. The outermost layer, the epimysium, is a dense layer of connective tissue surrounding the entire muscle, providing structural integrity and allowing for independent muscle movement.
In the case of muscle tissue, it includes various integrated tissues such as skeletal muscle fibers, blood vessels, nerve fibers, and additional connective tissue. The tension created by muscle fiber contraction transfers through the connective tissue to the tendon, which then applies the force to the bone or another muscle for movement.