Structural and mechanical properties of tendon related to function.
Abstract: Tendon normally fulfills its primary role as a flexible force transmitting element very effectively and yet failure of this passive tissue leads to great disability. As a connective tissue its structure is relatively simple and the peculiar helical arrangement of collagen fibres confers highly non-linear as well as time-dependent mechanical properties. Functional significance cannot be attributed to any facet of mechanical response until the physiological pattern of loading is established. In particular the rate of deformation and the minimum force experienced by tendon in normal locomotion have yet to be elicited. Most published values of maximum forces transmitted by tendon fall short of the measured quasi-static rupture strength. The fact that some estimates exceed this ultimate force illustrates the errors incurred in indirect assessment. Direct measurement techniques, which have now been demonstrated to be practicable, should yield valuable information when applied to tendons susceptible to spontaneous rupture. Other proposed mechanical functions of tendon are clearly of secondary importance. Much has yet to be learned of the response of muscle to rapid loading and extension before these hypotheses can be tested fully. With our scant knowledge of normal tendon function it is indeed fortunate that the techniques of repair and treatment of damaged tendon are rapidly advancing.
Publication Date: 1975-01-01 PubMed ID: 1116491DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1975.tb03221.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The article investigates the relationship between the structural and mechanical properties of tendons with respect to their role in transmitting force. While tendons are essential for mobility, their failure results in significant disability. The study details the unique structure of tendons, their functionality, and suggests the need for further research to understand the impact of rapid loading and extension on muscles.
Tendons Structure and Function
- The article begins by highlighting the primary role that tendons play in the human body. These flexible elements transmit force effectively, enabling various body movements.
- Formed primarily of connective tissue, tendons have a simple structure marked by a unique helical arrangement of collagen fibers. This specific structure imparts tendons with non-linear and time-dependent mechanical properties.
- Understanding the mechanical response of tendons is dependent on establishing their physiological pattern of loading. Two aspects that are yet to be thoroughly investigated include the rate of deformation and the minimum force tendons experience during normal locomotion.
Static Rupture Strength and Tendon Forces
- The study also notes that most reported values of maximum forces transmitted by tendons are lesser than the measured quasi-static rupture strength, which is the force a tendon can withstand before breaking under a slow, constant force.
- However, some estimates exceed this ultimate force. This discrepancy emphasizes the errors that can occur with indirect assessment methodologies.
Future Research and Tendon Damage Treatment
- The research suggests utilizing direct measurement techniques, proven to be effective, to gather valuable data related to tendons that are prone to spontaneous rupture.
- The article also briefly touches upon additional mechanical functions proposed for tendons, stating that they are of secondary importance compared to the primary function of force transmission.
- It concludes by flagging two areas that require further investigation: the response of muscles to rapid loading and extension, and normal tendon function. Fortunately, despite our limited understanding in these areas, the techniques for repairing and treating damaged tendons continue to improve.
Cite This Article
APA
Evans JH, Barbenel JC.
(1975).
Structural and mechanical properties of tendon related to function.
Equine Vet J, 7(1), 1-8.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1975.tb03221.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Body Temperature
- Collagen
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / physiology
- Humans
- Locomotion
- Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
- Muscles / metabolism
- Muscles / physiopathology
- Rupture, Spontaneous
- Stress, Mechanical
- Tendons / physiology
- Tendons / physiopathology
- Tendons / ultrastructure
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Konar S, Bolam SM, Coleman B, Dalbeth N, McGlashan SR, Leung S, Cornish J, Naot D, Musson DS. Changes in Physiological Tendon Substrate Stiffness Have Moderate Effects on Tendon-Derived Cell Growth and Immune Cell Activation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022;10:800748.
- Shimozaki K, Nakase J, Ohashi Y, Kuzumaki T, Yamaguchi T, Torigoe K, Tsuchiya H. Investigating the histological and structural properties of tendon gel as an artificial biomaterial using the film model method in rabbits. J Exp Orthop 2022 Jan 3;9(1):1.
- Pan L, Wang F, Cheng Y, Leow WR, Zhang YW, Wang M, Cai P, Ji B, Li D, Chen X. A supertough electro-tendon based on spider silk composites. Nat Commun 2020 Mar 12;11(1):1332.
- Wardle R, Pullman JA, Haldenby S, Ressel L, Pope M, Clegg PD, Radford A, Stewart JP, Al-Saadi M, Dyer P, Peffers MJ. Identification of Equid herpesvirus 2 in tissue-engineered equine tendon. Wellcome Open Res 2017;2:60.
- Valdivia M, Vega-Macaya F, Olguín P. Mechanical Control of Myotendinous Junction Formation and Tendon Differentiation during Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2017;5:26.
- Ho JO, Sawadkar P, Mudera V. A review on the use of cell therapy in the treatment of tendon disease and injuries. J Tissue Eng 2014;5:2041731414549678.
- Cheng CW, Solorio LD, Alsberg E. Decellularized tissue and cell-derived extracellular matrices as scaffolds for orthopaedic tissue engineering. Biotechnol Adv 2014 Mar-Apr;32(2):462-84.
- Miller KS, Edelstein L, Connizzo BK, Soslowsky LJ. Effect of preconditioning and stress relaxation on local collagen fiber re-alignment: inhomogeneous properties of rat supraspinatus tendon. J Biomech Eng 2012 Mar;134(3):031007.
- Franchi M, Ottani V, Stagni R, Ruggeri A. Tendon and ligament fibrillar crimps give rise to left-handed helices of collagen fibrils in both planar and helical crimps. J Anat 2010 Mar;216(3):301-9.
- Stolinski C. Disposition of collagen fibrils in human tendons. J Anat 1995 Jun;186 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3):577-83.
- Nicholls SP, Gathercole LJ, Shah JS. Morphology of human palmaris longus tendon. Ann Rheum Dis 1984 Jun;43(3):477-82.
- Michna H. Morphometric analysis of loading-induced changes in collagen-fibril populations in young tendons. Cell Tissue Res 1984;236(2):465-70.
- Ang EJ, Wong HK, Goh J, Yuen WM, Balasubramaniam P. Device for tensile testing of rabbit patellar tendons. Med Biol Eng Comput 1989 Sep;27(5):545-8.
- Shah JS, Jayson MI, Hampson WG. Low tension studies of collagen fibres from ligaments of the human spine. Ann Rheum Dis 1977 Apr;36(2):139-45.
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