The key difference between tendon and aponeurosis is that tendon allows the body to move and be flexible while aponeurosis allows the body to be strong and stable.
Muscle is a soft contractile tissue that helps to produce motion. Muscles are attached to bones. Aponeurosis, fascia, tendon and ligament are several structures associated with muscles and bones. Aponeurosis and tendon connect muscles to bones. Moreover, aponeurosis is a delicate connective tissue while the tendon is a tough connective tissue. So, this article attempts to discern the difference between tendon and aponeurosis.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Tendon
3. What is an Aponeurosis
4. Similarities Between Tendon and Aponeurosis
5. Side by Side Comparison – Tendon vs Aponeurosis in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Tendon?
Tendon is a tough fibrous connective tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. Collagen is the main component of the tendon. It is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are usually whitish in colour. Moreover, they are glistering tissues.
Figure 01: Tendon
There are different tendons in our body. They vary by the thickness and the length. Moreover, some tendons are round while some are flattened. Tendons allow our body to move and be flexible.
What is an Aponeurosis?
The aponeurosis is another white colour connective tissue that attaches a muscle to bone. However, aponeurosis is a delicate tissue containing thin sheaths.
Figure 02: Aponeurosis
When a muscle moves by flexing or extending, an aponeurosis functions like a spring to bear the extra pressure and tension. It is due to the recoiling ability of aponeurosis. Moreover, aponeurosis helps the body to be strong and stable.
What are the Similarities Between Tendon and Aponeurosis?
- Both tendon and aponeurosis are two connective tissues.
- They attach muscles to bones.
- Furthermore, both are white colour glistering tissues.
- Moreover, they are connected to each other.
- They are found all over the body.
What is the Difference Between Tendon and Aponeurosis?
Tendon is a tough rope-like connective tissue that attaches a muscle to the bone while aponeurosis is a delicate sheath-like connective tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. So, this is the key difference between tendon and aponeurosis.
Furthermore, one other significant difference between tendon and aponeurosis is that the tendons allow the body to move and be flexible, while aponeurosis allows the body to be strong and stable.
The below infographic provides more details on the difference between tendon and aponeurosis.
Summary – Tendon vs Aponeurosis
In summary, tendon and aponeurosis are two connective tissues that carry out the same major function of attaching muscles to bones. However, the tendon is a tough rope-like structure while aponeurosis is a delicate thin sheath-like structure. Tendon allows the body to move and be flexible while aponeurosis allows the body to be strong and stable. Therefore, this is the key difference between tendon and aponeurosis.
Reference:
1. “Tendon.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 July 2019, Available here.
2. ” Aponeurosis: Definition & Function.” Study.com, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Achilles-tendon” By The original uploader was Montrealais at English Wikipedia. – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Lumbar aponeurosis” By Anatomist90 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia