Muscle to Tendon Connection A tendon is tough, but flexible,
band of fibrous connective tissue. One end of the tendon
connects to muscle. The other end the tendon connects to bone.
Contraction of the muscle pulls on the tendon, causing the
tendon to pull the bone. In this way, tendons play an important
role in muscle control of the body. Tendons are made of parallel
collagen fibers running the length of the tendon. These collagen
fibers give the tendon its strength. Tendons grow into the bone
creating a connection that is extremely strong and hard to
break. Tendons are similar to ligaments and fascia. Ligaments,
also made of collagen fiber, join one bone to another bone.
Similarly, fascia connects muscles to other muscles. Tendons are
stretched very tightly as they connect the muscle to the bone.
This makes them susceptible to injury. Tendon damage is often
the result of sports injuries. Tendons can be damaged if
overstrained. Tendinitus is an imflamation of the tendon
resulting from repetitive overuse. Sever