What is the tendon: definition, function, examples

What is a tendon? It's part of human muscles, which is represented by connective tissue. Due to this, it can be attached to the skeleton. They can be long or short, broad or narrow, to have various intricate shape (ribbon-like, threadlike, rounded).

The Structure of tendons

Knowing the definition, you can try to imagine the appearance of this element of the human body. What is a tendon? This compact arrangement of parallel bundles of collagen and elastin fibers. Between the threads are fibroblasts. The feature is that the fibrous elements predominate over the cellular. It provides the whole structure strength and low elongation.

Vessels and nerves into the tendon from the muscle or the periosteum at its attachment. With age is some disparity in relation to muscle and tendon part of the muscle. The newborn tendon is almost not developed, and up to puberty the process of increasing muscle mass is in parallel with the growth of collagen fibers. Then, twenty-five years, actively growing tendon part. In old age the fibres lose their elasticity and become more fragile.

Tendons

What is a tendon? This is the element that holds the muscle and attaches it to areas of the bone. They provide the function of the musculoskeletal system:

- supporting, that is, create a support for the organs and soft tissues, as well as keep the upper body segments;
- locomotor - like part of the muscles involved in the movement of man in space;
- protective – in a certain way protect the neuro-vascular bundles and organs from damage.

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The Mechanical properties of the tendon depend on their size and the ratio of collagen and elastin fibers. The broader the bundle, and the more the collagen, the it stronger. Conversely, the thinner and softer the easier it is to deform.

Inflammation

The Tendons of a person susceptible to pathological processes, as well as any other structure of the body. There are several types of inflammatory diseases inherent in the tendons, which are accompanied by disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

1. Tendonitis. Occurs from prolonged constant tension of the tendon. At the same time develop changes in tissue structure, which can lead to the anguish of this fragment muscles. This inflammation greatly reduces the strength of the tendons and increases the likelihood of discontinuities. Tendinitis may be of infectious origin, when the infection has entered either as a result of injury, or with the flow of the fluid through the body, such as blood or lymph. From degenerative tendinitis usually suffer athletes.
2. Paratenon. Is an aseptic inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the tendon. This pathology is associated usually with a recurring injury of the joints. In the space between the fascia and the tendon of the pouring out of the blood, and edema. After the first symptoms of this inflammatory lesion is converted into fibrous tissue. The tendon loses its mobility, and movement becomes painful.

Stretching

What is a tendon? This combination of collagen and elastin fibers in a specific ratio. If in relation to the anatomical education applied excessive force is stretching the tendon. This is the most common type of injury today. Generally, it is observed in knee and ankle joint with a sharp movement.

The strongest muscle of the human body located on the feet, and hence tendons have them durable and must withstand considerable loads. But sometimes a bad fall, the spontaneous movements which provoke the stretching of the tendons.

There are three degrees of difficulty stretching:

1. First degree – a small pain which increases with movement.
2. Second degree - severe pain with swelling of the injury site, muscle weakness and increased discomfort during exercise.
3. Third degree-complete or partial tendon rupture and, as consequence, reduction of a muscle.

Rupture and tendon damage brush

The Tendons in the hand quite thin, but durable, so damage them directly in case of accident or injury, such as an accident, careless handling of tools, etc. Basically damaged the tendons of the hand and forearm. Most often it is the flexor group.

The Tendons in the hand are closely intertwined with blood vessels and nerves, so often found in combined lesions of these anatomical structures. To restore the integrity of tissues used to help surgeons. The operation is long and complicated, because you need to sew not only cut the tendons, but the nerves and vessels, and check whether there is still after all the manipulations, the function of the brush.

Damage to the tendons of the fingers

Damage to the tendon can be suspected when there is no active flexion of the phalanges or interphalangeal joints. This suggests that the pathological process is located in the superficial and deep flexor of the fingers. In order to verify the integrity of the structures, resort to x-rays.

To Treat such injury need only by surgery. The exception is fresh ruptures of the distal interphalangeal joints. In this case it is possible to dispense with immobilization of up to six months. In the case of open injuries, you must first stop the bleeding, close the wound with a sterile bandage and use a splint for fixation, and then still have to resort to surgery.

Rupture and injury of tendons of the foot

The Tendons in the foot also have three degrees of damage:

1. First – minor pain, swelling in the ankle. The victim is able to attack on foot. Discomfort disappears several days after initiation of therapy.
2. Second – the swelling of the joints, sharp pain during movement.
3. Third – a torn tendon on his leg, a large swelling of the joint, constant severe pain.

Rupture of the Achilles tendon, which attaches to the calcaneus appears due to a strong tension. The separation usually full. The reasons can be considered a direct impact with a hard object in the area, or a sharp reduction of the triceps surae muscle. This injury often occurs in sportsmen-athletes, especially in runners.

Treatment for fresh fractures lies in the imposition of intradermal suture to the tendon and the superimposition of the plaster bandage. Wear it will need the whole month. Then it will be removed for suture removal, and then the leg will lock again for another four weeks. If the tear is old, it removes the damaged tissues, followed by plastics.

Pain in the joints

Tendon Rupture is accompanied by severe pain, but not only this kind of damage can cause discomfort. Doctors daily have to deal with complaints of pain in the tendons.

As a rule, most of these people develop tendonitis, tendinosis or tenosynovitis. They can appear due to wrong posture, sitting in an awkward position or lack of warm-up before sports. In addition, it is not necessary to drop and infectious diseases such as arthritis, which can also cause pain in the joints. The presence of shortening of the bone structures after fractures also contributes to the emergence of pain as due to unsymmetrical load distribution healthy side wears out faster.

The Presence of pain in tendons affects the surrounding tissues. Unbearable pain occurs in the sediments of calcification, stiff shoulder joint, tendinoses. The cause could also be excessive force to perform any movement, on the tensile strength of the tendon. Prolonged intensive use may lead to degeneration of fibers and their necrosis.