Cannon Image Studies: Tendons and Ligaments of the Lower Legs

Tendon and Ligament Structure and Function

Tendons are made of carefully arranged protein fibers. Bundled together they connect muscle to bone. When the muscle contracts it pulls on the tendon which pulls on the bone, creating movement. Tendons can vary from very short 1/2 inch structures to very long 2 foot structures. Tendons usually travel within the connective tissue matrix of the body. However at places of high motion and friction, the tendon may travel within a synovial sheath. This sheath secretes and sequesters a lubricating fluid called synovial fluid, similar to that found in joints. It is important to understand this relationship and to know where the sheaths are. By knowing the sheath locations, you can better understand the swelling you might see, what type disease process is going on, the best treatment plan, and the possible complications. It is possible to have the sheath alone inflammed: synovitis or both the tendon and sheath inflammed: tenosynovitis.

Ligaments too are connective tissue but they connect bone to bone. This makes them supporting structures that maintain a proper relationship between bones. Though they may be static structures, most are very involved with the motion and support of bony structures, the suspensory ligament is a good example of this.

The images below are placed sequentially from wide views to more detailed looks at the structures of the lower legs.