Achilles tendon
Eva Rudolf-Müller is a freelance writer in the medical team. She studied human medicine and newspaper sciences and has repeatedly worked in both areas - as a doctor in the clinic, as a reviewer, and as a medical journalist for various specialist journals. She is currently working in online journalism, where a wide range of medicine is offered to everyone.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles with the heel bone. It begins around the middle of the lower leg, is initially wide, then narrower and wider again at the lower end and ends at the heel bone. It is one of the strongest tendons in the body. Read everything you need to know about the anatomy and function of the Achilles tendon as well as common diseases and injuries!
What is the Achilles tendon?
The strong, but not very elastic tendon connects the lower leg muscles with the foot skeleton. Without them, it would not be possible to stretch the foot and thus also to walk or toe toe. The Achilles tendon is about 20 to 25 centimeters long, at the thickest point up to 5 centimeters wide and up to 8 millimeters thick.
According to the Greek legend, Achilles was immersed in the river Styx by his mother to make him immortal. However, the heel she'd held him by remained vulnerable - the much-cited Achilles heel.
What is the function of the Achilles tendon?
The Achilles tendon is used to transmit power from the calf muscles to the skeleton of the foot, more precisely the heel bone. When the calf muscles contract, the tendon is pulled up on the heel bone, lifting the heel and straightening the foot. By relaxing the calf muscles, on the other hand, it is possible to step with the entire sole of the foot.
Where is the Achilles tendon located?
The Achilles tendon has its origin in the calf muscles, the two-headed gastrocnemius muscle, which arises at the lower edge of the thigh. Its two heads connect with each other in the middle of the lower leg and with another muscle, the soleus muscle, which lies below. These three muscles, which together make up the triceps surae, the three-headed calf muscle, eventually merge into the Achilles tendon.
What problems can the Achilles tendon cause?
A torn Achilles tendon is most common when doing sports, such as jogging, skiing, playing tennis, playing soccer or handball. Usually the tendon is already damaged and the tissue has degenerated. In addition, repeated cortisone injections can damage the tendon in such a way that even minor injuries can tear it.
Overloading can lead to irritation of the Achilles tendon and further to a painful inflammation (achillodynia).
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