tendons

Bone-to-muscle cords

Tendons are the tough, fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones, transmitting the force that makes movement possible.

The Achilles tendon at the back of the heel is the largest and most famous, often injured in sports.

Tendons can be strained or torn: He ruptured a tendon in his shoulder.

anatomy

ligaments

Tough tissue joining bones

cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
jointsSkeletal connection points
fasciaConnective tissue sheet

tissue · sinew · collagen · fibrous · muscle · bone · sheath · insertion · attachment · Achilles

culinary

sinew

Tough connective tissue

gristleTough connective tissue
chewyResisting easy biting
toughDurable and strong

braised · slow-cooked · collagen · gelatin · stock · broth · connective · offal · tripe · oxtail

properties

elasticity

Tendency to resume original form

flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
tensileCapable of elongation
stretchPull to extend

resilience · strength · toughness · pliability · recoil · springiness · stiffness · durability · fibrous · extensibility

injury

rupture

Violent tearing apart

tearTo pull apart
strainExcessive stretching force
inflammationProtective tissue response

swelling · overuse · repetitive · chronic · acute · pain · healing · recovery · rehabilitation · surgery

movement

flexion

Decreasing a joint angle

extensionAdded part or duration
contractionReduction in size
gripSecure manual hold

mobility · pull · tension · force · transmission · articulation · bending · straightening · rotation · abduction

Categories

muscle systemmuscle, biceps, triceps, deltoid, deltoids
body partsarm, leg, hand, back, chest
anatomybrain, heart, bones, liver, stomach
bodyflesh, skin, bones, muscle, bone
musculoskeletalbone, bones, muscle, muscles, joint
dinosaur bodyskull, skeleton, bones, tail, teeth

Opposites

connective tissue type/function

tendonsligaments

Tough tissue joining bones

cartilage · fascia · bursae · bones · muscles

musculoskeletal component

tendonsmuscles

Contractile body tissue

bones · skeletal muscle · joints

tissue rigidity/flexibility

tendonsbone

Hard skeletal tissue

Phrases

Achilles tendonCord linking calf to heel
Achilles' tendonCord linking calf to heel
Achilles tendon repairSurgery reconnecting heel cord
torn tendonSevered muscle-to-bone fiber
tendon tearDamaged muscle-bone connector
tendon injuryHarm to fibrous cords

Family

tendon, tendonitis

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G