STRUCTURE & FUNCTION- LIGS, TENDONS, SHEATHS AND BURSAE

Question 1

What is the function of ligaments

Answer 1

Resist distraction of its 2 bony attachments

Bone to bone

Question 2

Describe the gross anatomy of ligaments

Answer 2

Are thickened regions of joint capsule made up of dense regular connective tissue

Question 3

Describe the microscopic anatomy of ligaments

Answer 3

collagen fibres arranged in multiple directions allowing strength in multiple directions

Question 4

How is the make up of ligaments different to tendons

Answer 4

• ligaments have 10% elastin content

- ligaments have more type 3 collagen

Question 5

Describe the function of tendons

Answer 5

• passively transfer force generated buy muscles to a distant insertion
• acct as elastic energy stores

Question 6

Describe the gross anatomy of tendons

Answer 6

Tendon covered in epitenon
Tertiary bundle have crim and surrounded by endotenon
Secondary bundles surrounded by endotenon
Primary bundles surrounded by endotenon

Question 7

What is the manica flexoria

Answer 7

Where the SDFT and DDFT swap positions

Occurs at the level of P2

Question 8

What are bursae

Answer 8

Are tough connective tissue sacs that contain synovial fluid

Question 9

Where are bursae found

Answer 9

Under areas of pressure

Mainly under tendons near their insertion

Question 10

What are tendon sheaths

Answer 10

Wrap around tendons and secrete synovial fluid to lubricate the tendons over joints

Question 11

What do protoglycans do

Answer 11

Bind water
Important for the function of tendons
Found within connective tissue extra cellular matrix

Question 12

Why is crimp important

Answer 12

For shock absorption as limb hits the ground, as crimp straightens out

Question 13

Where is crimp found

Answer 13

In ligaments and tendons

Question 14

How is crimp made

Answer 14

Crimp is introduced by tenocytes

Question 15

How is tropocollagen synthesised

Answer 15

1. Procollagen- made inside fibroblasts
2. Procollagen leaves cell then is trimmmed to tropocollagen
3. Tropocollagen is polymerised to create the collagen fibril which we call collagen

Question 16

Describe the micro-anatomy of tendons

Answer 16

Primary collagen fibres made up of many collagen fibrils with fibroblasts and fibrocytes.
Collagen fibrils made up of polymerised tropocollagen

Question 17

Describe positional tendons

Answer 17

Stiffer tendons
Steeper stress strain curve 
Fail at low strains 5-6%
Used to guide limb placement 
Usually on extensor muscles

Question 18

Describe elastic tendons

Answer 18

Elastic 
Flatter stress strain curve 
Fail at high strains 19-21%
Used to absorb landing shocks 
Store elastic energy 
Usually on flexor muscles