Tendons & Ligaments PDF

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Notes formatted from exam 2 material covering tendons and ligaments....

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The Biomechanics of Tendons and Ligaments

Joint Connective Tissues: In and around the joint there are four primary connective tissue structures: o The joint capsule o Articular cartilage o Ligaments o Muscle tendons

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Tissue Structure  

Both tendons and ligaments are composed of dense fibrous connective tissue Like all CT, tendons and ligaments have relatively few cells supported in an organic extracellular matrix: o Fibroblasts = 20% of volume o Matrix = 80% of volume

Fibroblasts 

Secrete and absorb matrix elements: o Collagen o Proteoglycans (ground substance) o Elastin o Fibronectin (cell-to-cell adhesion)

Matrix 

The organic matrix volume consists of: o Water (70%) o Collagen fibers (20% ligs, 25% tendons) o Ground substance (5% tendons, 10% ligs) o Elastin fibers (...