Tendons

If there were no moving components between the individual bones of our body that create a connection between the segments, humans would not consist of an ordered structure. The Tendons perform amazing tasks in this context and perform surprisingly.

What are tendons?

Hardly any other organ in the human body is as resistant and yet stretchable within a certain limit as that Tendons. The tendons not only contribute to a morphological unit of the bones and thus to an upright posture. The tendons are also connecting pieces between the muscles and the bones.

In addition, the tendons also facilitate the implementation of different movement patterns such as sitting, squatting, lying and stretching. The extensive complex of tendons is divided into different areas. The Latin name for the tendon is tendo-. In medicine, the name flechsen is often chosen for tendons.

Anatomy & structure

The anatomical structure of the Tendons contributes to the fact that there are different forms. The general structure of the tendons is characterized by tight connective tissue in combination with a proportion of supporting tissue, so that the forces of the muscles can be transferred smoothly through the tendons to the bones.

In cross-section, the tendons show the intercellular substance located between the tissue cells and a whole series of connective tissue fiber strands. These are arranged next to each other in the nerves. There are only a few nerves and blood vessels between these strands. The tendons with the tendon sheath resemble a cut power cable.

In contrast to an electrical conductor, the tendons are covered by the stratum fibrosum. The tendons are embedded in the so-called tendon sheath and are surrounded by a total of 5 layers of tissue.

Despite the uniform structure of the tendons, the human body has both flat and narrow, as well as wide and extremely strong and round cross sections of the tendons. The lengths of the tendons also differ from one another.

Functions & tasks

The Tendons clearly belong to the holding apparatus and enable the interaction between the muscles and the bones. For this reason, the tendons must have enormous tensile strength in order to be able to cope with sometimes high loads.

As important connecting pieces, the tendons provide the medium for transmitting the muscle forces required for human locomotion to the bone areas and are able to contract and relax. The tendons are "intermediate pieces" which, as attachment or origin tendons, also ensure damping of potential forces on the bone. The tendons thus play a key role in preventing bones from breaking.

The tendon sheath prevents friction between protruding bones and the adjacent tissue areas of other organs thanks to its ability to slide. The tendons are able to function temporarily as a store for kinetic energy. If there is mobility, the tendons support them by releasing the energy so that the bones and muscles can work. When a resting phase occurs, the tendons contract up to a certain limit and await the next movement stimulus.

Diseases

Orthopedic specialists often suffer injuries Tendons treat that occur due to excessive or improper loading. As a result of external influences, tendons or overstretching tend to tear (tear through).

The most well-known damage to tendons is the Achilles tendon rupture. Furthermore, other tendons can also be cut if the loads are abrupt. Classic acute tendon diseases in this regard are the tears of the biceps and quadriceps as well as the patellar tendon.

Another disease that can affect tendons is inflammation. Tendonitis is typical within this category. This occurs in particularly sensitive tendons. These are located on the ankles and wrists. Another disease that also involves the tendons is fibromyalgia. Tendopathies or diseases of the tendons also include the so-called rotator cuff syndrome in the shoulders and epicondylitis humeri radialis and humeri ulnaris.

This tendon disease affects the elbow in the ulna and radius area. As a result, gout can also lead to deposits on the joints, which cause impairment of the tendons.

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