Tendons have specific characteristics. Which statement is true?

Tendons have specific characteristics. Which statement is true?

• A. They connect muscle to bone; poorly vascularized; can become contracted w/o movement
• B. They connect bone to bone; highly vascularized
• C. They are ligaments around joints
• D. They are adipose tissue

Answer: (A)

Tendons are the structures that transmit the force from muscle to bone, allowing movement. They are relatively poorly vascularized, which is why injuries to tendons heal slowly compared with other tissues. Because tendons don’t actively shorten on their own—the contraction comes from the muscle they connect—these tissues can become shortened or stiff if movement is not maintained, leading to a contracture of the tendon–muscle unit. This makes the statement true: tendons connect muscle to bone, are poorly vascularized, and can become contracted when movement is limited. They are not bone-to-bone ligaments, and they are not adipose tissue.

Tendons are the structures that transmit the force from muscle to bone, allowing movement. They are relatively poorly vascularized, which is why injuries to tendons heal slowly compared with other tissues. Because tendons don’t actively shorten on their own—the contraction comes from the muscle they connect—these tissues can become shortened or stiff if movement is not maintained, leading to a contracture of the tendon–muscle unit. This makes the statement true: tendons connect muscle to bone, are poorly vascularized, and can become contracted when movement is limited. They are not bone-to-bone ligaments, and they are not adipose tissue.