Anatomy, Tendons

Excerpt

The tendon is a "mechanical bridge," transmitting muscle forces to the bones and joints. This tough, fibrous structure also helps muscles complete joint movements along a plane. The tendon type reflects its associated muscle's morphology and function. Tendon tissue is present throughout an entire muscle's length, not only the tips. The muscle's connective tissue layers (epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium) merge to attach to one or more fixed osseous points. Tendon tissue close to the muscle has contractile fibers. The muscle influences tendon activity, and in turn, the tendon impacts how the muscle functions.

Healthcare professionals must consider these important relationships, especially when performing manual therapy, rehabilitation, and surgery. Tendon tissue architecture can adapt to physiological (eg, training) or pathological (eg, traumatic) stimuli influenced by systemic, hormonal, environmental, and age-related factors.