What does the term "tendon" refer to?

The term "tendon" refers specifically to a tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendons are robust, fibrous structures that play a critical role in facilitating movement by transmitting the force generated by muscles to the bones, allowing for joint motion. When a muscle contracts, the tendon pulls on the bone to produce movement, making this connection vital for the musculoskeletal system.

In contrast, a muscle that contracts does not define what a tendon is; rather, it describes the action of muscle fibers during physical activity. A group of muscles refers to a collection of associated muscles that may work together but does not pertain to the definition of a tendon. Lastly, inflammation of muscle tissues, known as myositis, is unrelated to tendons and focuses on muscle damage, rather than the specific connective tissue role that tendons play. Thus, the connection defined by the term "tendon" is accurately captured by its role in linking muscle to bone, which is why this answer is correct.