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Ancient Greek Mythology and the Human Body: What is the hidden historical story behind Achilles' tendon?
The Achilles tendon, also known as the Achilles tendon, is the strongest tendon in the human body and is located at the back of the calf. This tendon connects the muscles of the calf, such as the gastrocnemius and soleus, and attaches them to the calcaneus. Through the operation of this tendon, the plantar flexion movement of the ankle joint can be produced. However, there are many historical stories hidden about the naming of this tendon and its connection to mythology.
The Achilles tendon is famous for the myth behind it. In this story, Achilles' mother Hetis dipped him in the River Styx to make her son invincible, but because she grabbed his heel, this part became his only weakness.
Historical origin
The name Achilles tendon first appeared in 1693, by the Belgian anatomist Philippe Verhayden. In his book "Human Anatomy", "Achilles' chordae" were mentioned for the first time, and the name began to spread around the world. This tendon had already been described by Hippocrates, who called it "tendo magnus," or "the great tendon." The story of Achilles has accompanied this tendon since ancient times, giving it unique cultural significance.
Anatomy
The Achilles tendon is located at the back of the calf, connecting the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles and attaching to the underside of the calcaneus. The strength of this tendon allows it to withstand huge pressures during exercise, with the load reaching 3.9 times the body weight when walking, and even 7.7 times when running. However, the Achilles tendon has a relatively poor blood supply, making its repair process slow and difficult.
Function and Importance
Through the Achilles tendon, the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles enable plantar flexion of the ankle joint, which draws the sole of the foot closer to the leg. The fiber pattern of the Achilles tendon is spiral-shaped, which also allows it to exert considerable gains during activities. It is worth noting that the vibration of this tendon can directly affect postural adjustment, which makes it play an integral role in gait and sports performance.
Clinical significance
Inflammation and disease
Achilles tendinitis is one of the most common sports injuries, often related to overuse. Symptoms include sharp pain and swelling during early movement, accompanied by morning stiffness. This has become increasingly common as the athletic population has exploded in recent years. Treatment usually involves measures such as rest, ice and physical therapy, while surgery may be considered in cases that last longer than six months.
Tendon rupture
Achilles tendon rupture is often accompanied by severe pain and difficulty walking. Breakage is more common in sudden strenuous activities or high-intensity exercise, and is especially common in men aged 30 to 50. Prevention of such injuries includes adequate stretching before exercise. Treatment options include surgery or immobilization, and appropriate management needs to be done within four weeks of the injury to prevent subsequent complications.
Comparison of other animals
While humans have a well-developed Achilles tendon, in some apes the tendon is relatively short or missing. For humans, this tendon is not only a structure that connects muscles and bones, but is also the key to storing elastic energy during walking, jumping and running. The lack of a well-developed Achilles tendon limits the ability of these animals to move efficiently at high speeds or over long distances.
The Achilles tendon is not only a physical structure, but also part of mythological history. Imagine what the impact would have been on our culture and language if Achilles and his tendons had never existed.
