Tendons

Tendons are located at the ends of muscles. They firmly anchor the muscle to the bone. Like muscles, tendons consist of many fibres surrounded by strong connective tissue.

Muscles and their tendons pass over one or more joints. When a muscle contracts, the tendons transfer the force to the bone, causing the joint to move. Tendons cannot actively contract and are much stiffer than muscles. This allows the energy from the muscle to be transferred to the bone as efficiently as possible.

Structure of a tendon

The connective tissue of a muscle gradually changes into tendon tissue. It can also be viewed the other way around: the connective tissue of a tendon runs through the entire muscle. Three layers of tendon tissue can be distinguished. From inside to outside these are:

  • The endotenon.
  • The peritenon.
  • The epitenon.

These correspond to the muscle’s endomysium, perimysium, and epimysium. The length and thickness of the tendons vary considerably. A larger muscle that can generate more force will have stronger and thicker tendons than a smaller muscle. Tendons can also be very long, as can be seen in the hand and foot.

Different forces on a tendon

A tendon is subjected daily to heavy loading in 3 different forms:

  • Tensile forces: when a muscle contracts, it pulls on the tendon.
  • Compressive forces: when the tendon is tensioned and presses against something.
  • Frictional force: when the tendon rubs along, for example, a piece of bone.

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