Definition: Tendon

From New World Encyclopedia

Etymology

Borrowed from French tendon or Medieval Latin tendÅ, from Ancient Greek τένων or ténÅn (sinew, tendon), modified by association with the verb tendÅ (to stretch). Compare Middle English thenoun.

Noun

tendon (plural tendons)

  1. (anatomy) A tough band of flexible but inelastic fibrous collagen tissue that connects a muscle with its bony attachment and transmits the force which the muscle exerts.
  2. (biology) The hamstring of a quadruped.
  3. (construction) A wire or bar used to strengthen prestressed concrete.

Derived terms

  • Achilles tendon
  • calcaneal tendon
  • quadriceps tendon
  • tendonitis

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