Tendon and degeneration or weakening of the tendons, which may eventually lead to tendon rupture. Tendinopathies can be caused by a number of factors relating to the tendon extracellular matrix (ECM), and their classification has been difficult because their symptoms and histopathology often are similar. The first category of tendinopathy is paratenonitis, which refers to inflammation of the paratenon, or paratendinous sheet located between the tendon and its sheath. Tendinosis refers to non-inflammatory injury to the tendon at the cellular level. The degradation is caused by damage to collagen, cells, and the vascular components of the tendon, and is known to
Conjoint tendon Conjoint tendon The conjoint tendon (previously known as the inguinal aponeurotic falx) is a structure formed from the lower part of the common aponeurosis of the internal oblique muscle and the transversus abdominis as it inserts into the crest of the pubis and pectineal line immediately behind the superficial inguinal ring. It is usually conjoint with the tendon of the internal oblique muscle, but they may be separate as well. It forms the medial part of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal. The conjoint tendon serves to protect what would otherwise be a weak point in the abdominal wall.