Tendons connect muscles to bones. They are strong, fibrous cords made of collagen that transmit the force generated by muscle contraction to the bone, enabling movement.
In simpler terms, tendons act like ropes that tie your muscles to your skeleton. When a muscle contracts (shortens), the tendon pulls on the bone it's attached to, causing the bone to move.
Here's a breakdown:
- Muscle: The tissue responsible for generating force through contraction.
- Tendon: The tough, fibrous connective tissue that transmits this force.
- Bone: The rigid structural component that moves as a result of the force applied by the tendon.
Examples:
- The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel bone (calcaneus), allowing you to point your toes and push off when walking or running.
- Tendons in your forearm connect muscles to the bones in your hand, allowing you to grip and manipulate objects.
- Rotator cuff tendons connect muscles surrounding the shoulder joint to the humerus (upper arm bone), enabling a wide range of arm movements.
Problems like tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon) or a tendon rupture can significantly impair movement and require medical attention.
