O tendon it is a fibrous structure, thick, hard and flexible, whitish in color, present in various parts of the human body.
He is part of the striated muscle consisting of connective tissue (compound of collagen).
Roles
The main function of tendons is to connect muscles to bones. In this way, it helps in the balance of the body and in the development of movements, distributing forces in the muscles.
Thus, as it pulls on the connecting bone with the muscle, the tendon creates movement in order to transmit the force of contraction to the bone.
In addition, the tendon provides stability to the joints (the encounter between two bones) of the body's joints.
Note that tendons exist in almost every human joint, from the neck, arms, hands, feet, ankles, shoulders, elbows, etc.
To know more:
- Human Body Joints
- Shoulder Joints
Types of Tendons
Depending on the location in the body, the tendon can be:
- Flexor tendon: Involved in flexing or contracting some part of the body, for example, curling or closing the fingers and toes is the work of the flexor tendons.
- Extender tendon: Involved in the extension or expansion of some part of the body, for example, the action of loosening the wrist or extending the fingers is a work of the extensor tendons.
To know more: Muscles of the Human Body
Some tendons in the human body
Injury or rupture of tendons is very common, especially in athletes who perform repetitive, impact and strength exercises.
Below are some of the tendons that make up the human body:
tendons of the knees
The knee is made up of the tendons: quadriceps tendon, iliotibial band, hamstring tendons, and patellar tendon.
O patellar tendon, also called the patellar ligament, is located in the knees and is a continuation of the quadriceps tendon, located in front of the knee.
Its function is to provide balance and stability to the knee joints. Patellar tendonitis is one of the most common related diseases of this tendon.
Leg tendons
In addition to the knee and calcaneal tendons, there are five extensor tendons in the legs, namely:
- anterior tibial tendon;
- long and short hallux extensor
- long and short finger extensors.
The feet and ankle are made up of the anterior and posterior tibial tendons, the peroneal tendons, and the extensor and flexor tendons of the toes.
O Achilles tendon or Achilles tendon is the strongest and most vulnerable in the body. It is located on the heels where it crosses the knee and ankle joints.
Its name is based on the Greek myth of the hero Achilles who participated in the Trojan War being the heel, its most vulnerable part.
See too: Exercises on the Skeletal System
