Tendon

anatomy · movement · connective tissue

Cables of strength. Tendons are thick, rope-like bands made of special tough tissue that acts like a bridge between your muscles and bones. When your muscles squeeze and contract, tendons pull on your bones to make you move.

Super strong stuff. Tendons are made to handle enormous tension and pulling forces without snapping. They're so strong that they can support movements from jumping and sprinting to lifting heavy things.

Speed of action. When you decide to kick a ball or wave your hand, your brain sends a signal to your muscle, which instantly tightens and pulls on the tendon, which yanks on the bone, and suddenly you're moving. It all happens in a flash.

Can get hurt. If you stretch a tendon too hard or use it too much, it can get inflamed or even tear, which is painful and takes time to heal. That's why warming up before sports is so important.

Found everywhere. Every animal with muscles and bones has tendons, from tiny insects to giant whales. Even your pets have tendons connecting their muscles to their bones just like you do.