Achilles Tendon
Description
-
![Achilles tendon vascular supply[1]](/w/images/thumb/2/26/Achilles_tendon_vascular.jpeg/105px-Achilles_tendon_vascular.jpeg)
Achilles tendon vascular supply[1] -
![A schematic of the human Achilles tendon, showing division into 3 regions of analysis.[2]](/w/images/thumb/6/6e/Achilles_tendon_anatomy.jpeg/120px-Achilles_tendon_anatomy.jpeg)
A schematic of the human Achilles tendon, showing division into 3 regions of analysis.[2] -
![Posteromedial swelling of the Achilles tendon due to tendinopathy.[3]](/w/images/thumb/b/be/Achilles_tendonitis_swelling.jpeg/120px-Achilles_tendonitis_swelling.jpeg)
Posteromedial swelling of the Achilles tendon due to tendinopathy.[3]
![Achilles tendon vascular supply[1]](/File:Achilles_tendon_vascular.jpeg)
![A schematic of the human Achilles tendon, showing division into 3 regions of analysis.[2]](/File:Achilles_tendon_anatomy.jpeg)
![Posteromedial swelling of the Achilles tendon due to tendinopathy.[3]](/File:Achilles_tendonitis_swelling.jpeg)
Alternative Names
- Heel cord
- Calcaneal tendon
- Named after Greek hero Achilles
Origin
- Coalescence of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus muscles to form a common tendon
- Plantaris, when present, also inserts into Achilles
- Arises in the middle calf
Insertion
- Calcaneal tuberosity of the Calcaneus
- Rotates approximately 90 degrees laterally during its course to insert[6]
Characteristics
- Approximately 12-15 cm long
- Thickest, strongest and largest tendon in the human body
Paratenon
- No tendon sheath, just a large highly vascularized paratenon
- Acts as a conduit for the vasculature of the tendon and facilitates tendon gliding between the subcutaneous tissue and posterior fascia[7]
Kager's fat pad
- Located anterior to Achilles tendon
- Protects blood vessels entering the tendon[8]
Actions
- Plantarflexion of the ankle
Vascular Supply
- Proximal and distal: Recurrent branch of the Posterior Tibial Artery
- Midsection (2 to 6 cm from the insertion point): Peroneal Artery[9]
Innervation
- Sural nerve
- Smaller branches of the tibial nerve
Clinical Significance
Pathology
Procedures
See Also
References
- ↑ Mansfield, Kirsten, et al. "Achilles tendon ruptures and repair in athletes—a review of sports-related Achilles injuries and return to play." Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine 15.5 (2022): 353-361.
- ↑ Nagelli, C. V., et al. "Mechanical and strain behaviour of human Achilles tendon during in vitro testing to failure." European cells & materials 43 (2022): 153.
- ↑ Pearce, Christopher J., and Audrey Tan. "Non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy." EFORT Open Reviews 1.11 (2016): 383-390.
- ↑ Barfod, Kristoffer Weisskirchner. "Acute Achilles tendon rupture: assessment of non-operative treatment." Dan Med J 61 (2014): B4837.
- ↑ Gervasio, Andrea, Paola Bollani, and Aurelio Biasio. "US in mid-portion Achilles tendon injury." Journal of Ultrasound 17.2 (2014): 135-139.
- ↑ Maulli, N.; Aicale, R.; Tarantino, D. Tendinopathy of the Achilles Tendon. In Ankle Joint Arthroscopy: A Step-By-Step Guide; Allegra, F., Cortese, F., Lijoi, F., Eds.; Springer: Cham, Switzerland, 2020; pp. 227–237.
- ↑ Lohrer H, Arentz S, Nauck T, Dorn-Lange NV, Konerding MA. The Achilles tendon insertion is crescent-shaped: an in vitro anatomic investigation. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2008;466(9):2230–2237.
- ↑ enjamin M, Moriggl B, Brenner E, Emery P, McGonagle D, Redman S. The “enthesis organ” concept: why enthesopathies may not present as focal insertional disorders. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;50(10):3306–3313.
- ↑ Chen TM, Rozen WM, Pan WR, Ashton MW, Richardson MD, Taylor GI. The arterial anatomy of the Achilles tendon: anatomical study and clinical implications. Clin Anat. 2009;22(3):377–385.