Posterior view of the foot and leg, showing the Achilles tendon (tendo calcaneus). The gastrocnemius muscle is cut to expose the soleus.

The Achilles' tendon or heel (tendo Achillis) or the calcaneal tendon (tendo calcaneus) is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the gastrocnemius (calf) and soleus muscles to the calcaneus (heel) bone. The Achilles tendon. ... // Introduction A tendon or sinew is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. ... In an extended sense, a leg is any part of an object that supports it off the ground. ... The gastrocnemius is a powerful superficial muscle that is in the back part of the lower leg (the calf). ... The soleus muscle and surrounding structures, from Grays Anatomy. ... A top-down view of skeletal muscle Muscle is a contractile form of tissue. ... The calcaneus is the large bone making up the heel of the human foot. ...

Achilles' heel is also a common expression for the single vulnerable spot in something or someone (in reference to the Achilles story from Greek Mythology). For other uses, see Achilles (disambiguation). ... Greek mythology comprises the collected narratives of Greek gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines, originally created and spread within an oral-poetic tradition. ...

Anatomy

In humans it passes behind the ankle. It is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body. It is about 15 cm long, and begins near the middle of the leg, but receives fleshy fibers on its anterior surface, almost to its lower end. Gradually becoming contracted below, it is inserted into the middle part of the posterior surface of the calcaneus, a bursa being interposed between the tendon and the upper part of this surface. The tendon spreads out somewhat at its lower end, so that its narrowest part is about 4 cm. above its insertion. It is covered by the fascia and the integument, and stands out prominently behind the bone; the gap is filled up with areolar and adipose tissue. Along its lateral side, but superficial to it, is the small saphenous vein. The bones in the foot In anatomy, the ankle is the part of the lower limb that is located between the foot and the leg. ... A bursa is also a fluid filled sac located between a bone and tendon which normally serves to reduce friction between the two moving surfaces. ... Fascia is a specialized connective tissue layer which surrounds muscles, bones, and joints, providing support and protection and giving structure to the body. ... An integument is an outer protective covering such as the feathers or skin of an animal or rind or shell. ... Saphenous vein usually refers to the great saphenous vein, but may also refer to the small saphenous vein. ...

Nomenclature

The tendon gets its more common name from a myth about the hero Achilles, from Greek mythology. His mother Thetis decided to make him invulnerable, so she dipped him as a baby into the river Styx, whose waters had the power to do this. However, she held the baby by his heel and forgot to immerse that too, leaving that as his only vulnerable spot. He was later killed during the Trojan War by an arrow directed at his heel by Paris. This legend came to be applied to the calcaneal tendon owing to how painful it is to have it struck, and how crippling it is to have it severed. For other uses, see Achilles (disambiguation). ... Greek mythology comprises the collected narratives of Greek gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines, originally created and spread within an oral-poetic tradition. ... This article is about the Greek sea nymph. ... For other uses, see Styx River (disambiguation) River In Greek mythology, Styx ([river of] hate) is the name of a river which formed the boundary between earth and the underworld, Hades. ... The Trojan War was a war waged, according to legend, against the city of Troy in Asia Minor by the armies of the Acheans, following the kidnapping (or elopement) of Helen of Sparta by Paris of Troy. ... Paris (Greek: Πάρις; also known as Alexander, c. ...

The oldest-known written record of an association between the tendon and Achilles is in 1693 by the Flemish/Dutch anatomist Philip Verheyen. In his widely used text /Corporis Humani/, Chapter XV, page 328, he said that this tendon is commonly called "the cord of Achilles" ("quae vulgo dicitur /chorda Achillis/". Events January 11 - Eruption of Mt. ...

Role in disease

Achilles tendinitis is inflammation of the tendon, generally due to overuse of the affected limb or as part of a strain injury. Achilles tendon rupture is a partial or complete break in the tendon; it requires immobilisation or surgery. Xanthoma can develop in the Achilles tendon in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. Achilles tendinitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon. ... Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation and may be referred to as the innate cascade. ... Achilles tendon rupture commonly occur as an acceleration injury e. ... A xanthoma is a deposition of cholesterol-rich material in tendons and other body parts in various disease states: Tendon xanthomas (associated with familial hypercholesterolemia, cerebrotendineous xanthomatosis and phytosterolemia) Palmar xanthomas Eruptive xanthomas See also xanthelasma Categories: Stub | Sign (medicine) ... In medicine, familial hypercholesterolemia is a rare disease characterised by very high LDL cholesterol and early cardiovascular disease running in families. ...

Treatment of Achilles' tendon damage

Initial treatment of damage to the tendon is generally nonoperative. Orthotics can produce early relief to the tendon by the correction of malalignments, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also known to be effective. Orthotics are the appliances that are applied over a part of the body to correct deformity, improve its function or relieve symptoms of a disease. ... Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, usually abbreviated to NSAIDs, are drugs with analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects - they reduce pain, fever and inflammation. ...

Where tendon rupture is concerned, there are three main types of treatment: the open operative method, the percutaneous operative method and nonoperative options.

External links

• Detailed discussion of repair strategies for Achilles' Tendon Rupture