Achilles tendon

Achilles tendon
the tendon joining the calf muscles to the heel bone.
Also, Achilles' tendon.
[1900-05]

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also called  calcaneal tendon 

      strong tendon at the back of the heel that connects the calf muscles to the heel. The tendon is formed from the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles (the calf muscles) and is inserted into the heel bone. The contracting calf muscles lift the heel by this tendon, thus producing a foot action that is basic to walking, running, and jumping. The Achilles tendon is the thickest and most powerful tendon in the body. If the tendon is cut, use of the leg for running or jumping is lost. The tendon is named after the ancient Greek mythological figure Achilles because it lies at the only part of his body that was still vulnerable after his mother had dipped him (holding him by the heel) into the River Styx.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Achilles tendon — n. the tendon connecting the back of the heel to the muscles of the calf: also written Achilles tendon …   English World dictionary

  • Achilles' tendon — A*chil les ten don, n. [L. Achillis tendo.] (Anat.) The strong tendon formed of the united tendons of the large muscles in the calf of the leg, an inserted into the bone of the heel; so called from the mythological account of Achilles being held… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Achilles tendon — from Mod.L. tendo Achillis, first used by German surgeon Heister and so called in reference to the one vulnerable spot of the great Greek hero ACHILLES (Cf. Achilles), whose mother held him by the heel when she dipped him in the River Styx to… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Achilles' tendon — Achilles heel, Achilles tendon Use an apostrophe in both expressions for consistency, even though the connection with Achilles is remote in the second …   Modern English usage

  • Achilles tendon — ► NOUN ▪ the tendon connecting calf muscles to the heel …   English terms dictionary

  • Achilles tendon — Infobox Anatomy Name = Achilles tendon Latin = tendo calcaneus, tendo Achillis GraySubject = 129 GrayPage = 483 Caption = Posterior view of the foot and leg, showing the Achilles tendon ( tendo calcaneus ). The gastrocnemius muscle is cut to… …   Wikipedia

  • Achilles tendon — A tough sinew that attaches the calf muscle to the back of the heel bone. The Achilles tendon is one of the longest tendons in the body. It is also formally called the tendo Achilles or the tendo calcaneus, the calcaneus being the heel bone.… …   Medical dictionary

  • Achilles' tendon — n. the tendon connecting the heel with the calf muscles. * * * Achilles tendon noun The attachment of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of the calf of the leg to the heel bone • • • Main Entry: ↑Achillean * * * Achilles tendon, the strong… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Achilles tendon — UK [əˌkɪliːz ˈtendən] / US [əˌkɪlɪz ˈtendən] noun [countable] Word forms Achilles tendon : singular Achilles tendon plural Achilles tendons medical the tendon that joins the muscles in the back of your lower leg to the muscles in your heel …   English dictionary

  • Achilles tendon — [[t]əkɪ̱liːz te̱ndən[/t]] Achilles tendons N COUNT Your Achilles tendon or your Achilles is the tendon inside the back of your leg just above your heel …   English dictionary

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