Muscle to Tendon Connection
A tendon is tough, but flexible, band of fibrous connective tissue. One end of the tendon connects to muscle. The other end the tendon connects to bone.
Contraction of the muscle pulls on the tendon, causing the tendon to pull the bone. In this way, tendons play an important role in muscle control of the body.
Tendons are made of parallel collagen fibers running the length of the tendon. These collagen fibers give the tendon its strength. Tendons grow into the bone creating a connection that is extremely strong and hard to break. Tendons are similar to ligaments and fascia. Ligaments, also made of collagen fiber, join one bone to another bone. Similarly, fascia connects muscles to other muscles.
Tendons are stretched very tightly as they connect the muscle to the bone. This makes them susceptible to injury. Tendon damage is often the result of sports injuries. Tendons can be damaged if overstrained. Tendinitus is an imflamation of the tendon resulting from repetitive overuse. Severe stretching can result in tearing a tendon. This is a very painful injury. The most common tendon damage is in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, finger, knee, ankle, and back of the heel. |
