PHYSICAL WELLNESS

the strong connectors

THE TENDONS

Tendons are tough, flexible cords of connective tissue that link your muscles to your bones. They act like anchors, helping muscles transfer their pulling force to the skeleton so movement can happen. Without tendons, your muscles couldn’t move your bones.

  • Attach muscles to bones

  • Transfer muscle force into movement

  • Help stabilize joints

  • Absorb and release energy during motion (like springs)

  • Protect muscles from injury by spreading out stress

TENDON BASICS

Common Terms + Simple Definitions

Here’s a mini glossary for tendon related words you’ll see throughout the site:

Tendon - Strong band of tissue that connects muscle to bone

Ligament - Tissue that connects bone to bone (different from tendons)

Achilles Tendon - The large tendon at the back of your ankle that helps you walk and run

Flexor Tendons - Tendons that help bend fingers, wrists, or other parts of the body

Extensor Tendons - Tendons that help straighten fingers, wrists, or other parts of the body

WHAT TENDONS WORK WITH

TENDONS + OTHER SYSTEMS

  1. Muscular System → Provide the connection point so muscles can pull bones

  2. Skeletal System → Attach to bones to create movement and stability

  3. Joints → Support joint motion and prevent dislocations

  4. Nervous System → Work with reflexes (like the Achilles tendon reflex) to protect against overstretching

  5. Circulatory System → Blood flow supports tendon repair and healing, though tendons heal more slowly than muscles

HealthY TENDONS…

Tendons are small but mighty. They’re built to handle enormous tension and play a key role in every step, lift, or reach you make. Healthy tendons keep you strong, stable, and moving smoothly.