Tendon the Achilles tendon stretches as the ankle joint dorsiflexes. During the last portion of the stride, as the foot plantar-flexes (pointing the toes down), the stored elastic energy is released. Furthermore, because the tendon stretches, the muscle is able to function with less or even no change in length, allowing the muscle to generate greater force. The mechanical properties of the tendon are dependent on the collagen fiber diameter and orientation. The collagen fibrils are parallel to each other and closely packed, but show a wave-like appearance due to planar undulations, or crimps, on a scale of several micrometers. In
Quadriceps tendon Without the quadriceps tendon, the knee cannot extend. Often, when the tendon is completely torn, part of the kneecap bone will break off with the tendon as well. It can rupture resulting in quadriceps tendon rupture. It has been studied in the analysis of patellofemoral pain syndrome. Quadriceps tendon In human anatomy, the quadriceps tendon allows the quadriceps femoris muscles ("rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius") to converge on the superior aspects of the patella on the anterior of the thigh, which continues as the patellar ligament. A tendon connects muscle to bone, while a ligament connects