A tendon or sinew is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. source
A tendon or sinew is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension.
Tendons are similar to ligaments; both are made of collagen. source
Tendons are similar to ligaments; both are made of collagen.
Ligaments join one bone to another bone, while tendons connect muscle to bone. source
Ligaments join one bone to another bone, while tendons connect muscle to bone.
Histologically, tendons consist of dense regular connective tissue fascicles encased in dense irregular connective tissue sheaths. source
Histologically, tendons consist of dense regular connective tissue fascicles encased in dense irregular connective tissue sheaths.
Normal healthy tendons are composed mostly of parallel arrays of collagen fibers closely packed together. source
Normal healthy tendons are composed mostly of parallel arrays of collagen fibers closely packed together.
Filling the interstitia within the fascia where the tendon is located is the paratenon a fatty areolar tissue. source
Filling the interstitia within the fascia where the tendon is located is the paratenon a fatty areolar tissue.
In tendons, the fibrils then assemble further to form fascicles, which are about 10 mm in length with a diameter of 50–300 μm. source
In tendons, the fibrils then assemble further to form fascicles, which are about 10 mm in length with a diameter of 50–300 μm.
The collagen in tendons are held together with proteoglycan components including decorin and, in compressed regions of tendon, aggrecan. source
The collagen in tendons are held together with proteoglycan components including decorin and, in compressed regions of tendon, aggrecan.
The collagen in tendons are capable of binding to the collagen fibrils at specific locations. source
The collagen in tendons are capable of binding to the collagen fibrils at specific locations.
Tendon length varies in all major groups and from person to person. source
Tendon length varies in all major groups and from person to person.
Tendon length is, in practice, the deciding factor regarding actual and potential muscle size. source
Tendon length is, in practice, the deciding factor regarding actual and potential muscle size.
Traditionally, tendons have been considered to be a mechanism by which muscles connect to bone, functioning to transmit forces. source
Traditionally, tendons have been considered to be a mechanism by which muscles connect to bone, functioning to transmit forces.
The mechanical properties of the tendon are dependent on the collagen fiber diameter and orientation. source
The mechanical properties of the tendon are dependent on the collagen fiber diameter and orientation.
The proteoglycan components of tendons also are important to the mechanical properties. source
The proteoglycan components of tendons also are important to the mechanical properties.
Tendons are viscoelastic structures, which means they exhibit both elastic and viscous behaviour. source
Tendons are viscoelastic structures, which means they exhibit both elastic and viscous behaviour.
