Aponeurosis
Encyclopedia
Aponeuroses are layers of flat broad tendons. They have a shiny, whitish-silvery color, are histologically similar to tendon
s, and are very sparingly supplied with blood vessels and nerves. When dissected, aponeuroses are papery, and peel off by sections. The primary regions with thick aponeurosis are in the ventral
abdominal region, the dorsal lumbar
region, and in the palmar
and plantar region.
Their primary function is to join muscles and the body parts the muscles act upon.
. It has for its borders the external oblique, pectoralis muscles, and the latissimus dorsi.
The plantar aponeuroses occur on the plantar aspect of the foot. They extend from the calcaneal tuberosity then diverge to connect to the bones, ligaments and the dermis of the skin around the distal part of the metatarsal bones.
) is a tough layer of dense fibrous tissue which runs from the frontalis muscle
anteriorly to the occipitalis posteriorly.
s, in which the muscle fibers are oriented at an angle to the line of action, typically have two aponeuroses. Muscle fibers connect one to the other, and each aponeurosis thins into a tendon
which attaches to bone at the origin or insertion site.
s, aponeuroses attached to pennate muscles can be stretched by the forces of muscular contraction, absorbing energy like a spring and returning it when they recoil to unloaded conditions.
Tendon
A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments and fasciae as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, and fasciae connect muscles to other...
s, and are very sparingly supplied with blood vessels and nerves. When dissected, aponeuroses are papery, and peel off by sections. The primary regions with thick aponeurosis are in the ventral
Anatomical terms of location
Standard anatomical terms of location are designations employed in science that deal with the anatomy of animals to avoid ambiguities that might otherwise arise. They are not language-specific, and thus require no translation...
abdominal region, the dorsal lumbar
Lumbar
In tetrapod anatomy, lumbar is an adjective that means of or pertaining to the abdominal segment of the torso, between the diaphragm and the sacrum ...
region, and in the palmar
Palmar
Palmar may refer to:* a directional anatomical term of location* El Palmar de Troya, a small village near Utrera, in Andalusia, Spain* Palmar Sur , a town the Osa region, Puntarenas province, Costa Rica...
and plantar region.
Their primary function is to join muscles and the body parts the muscles act upon.
Anterior abdominal aponeuroses
The anterior abdominal aponeuroses are located just on top of the rectus abdominis muscleRectus abdominis muscle
The rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the "six pack", is a paired muscle running vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the human abdomen . There are two parallel muscles, separated by a midline band of connective tissue called the linea alba...
. It has for its borders the external oblique, pectoralis muscles, and the latissimus dorsi.
Posterior lumbar aponeuroses
The Posterior lumbar aponeuroses are situated just on top of the epaxial muscles of the thorax, which are multifidus spinae and Sacrospinalis.Palmar and plantar aponeuroses and extensor hood
The palmar aponeuroses occur on the palms of the hands. The extensor hoods are aponeuroses at the back of the fingers.The plantar aponeuroses occur on the plantar aspect of the foot. They extend from the calcaneal tuberosity then diverge to connect to the bones, ligaments and the dermis of the skin around the distal part of the metatarsal bones.
Anterior and posterior intercostal membranes
The anterior and posterior intercostal membranes are aponeuroses located between the ribs and are continuations of the external and internal intercostal muscles, respectively.Scalp aponeuroses
The aponeurosis (or galea aponeuroticaGalea aponeurotica
The galea aponeurotica is a tough layer of dense fibrous tissue which covers the upper part of the cranium; behind, it is attached, in the interval between its union with the Occipitales, to the external occipital protuberance and highest nuchal lines of the occipital bone; in front, it forms a...
) is a tough layer of dense fibrous tissue which runs from the frontalis muscle
Frontalis muscle
The Frontalis muscle , also known as the occipitofrontalis or epicranius, is thin, of a quadrilateral form, and intimately adherent to the superficial fascia. It is broader than the Occipitalis and its fibers are longer and paler in color...
anteriorly to the occipitalis posteriorly.
Pennate muscles & Aponeuroses
Pennate musclePennate muscle
A pennate or pinnate muscle is a muscle with fascicles that attach obliquely to its tendon...
s, in which the muscle fibers are oriented at an angle to the line of action, typically have two aponeuroses. Muscle fibers connect one to the other, and each aponeurosis thins into a tendon
Tendon
A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments and fasciae as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, and fasciae connect muscles to other...
which attaches to bone at the origin or insertion site.
Elastic Energy Storage
Like tendonTendon
A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments and fasciae as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, and fasciae connect muscles to other...
s, aponeuroses attached to pennate muscles can be stretched by the forces of muscular contraction, absorbing energy like a spring and returning it when they recoil to unloaded conditions.
See also
- Aponeurosis of the Obliquus externus abdominisAponeurosis of the Obliquus externus abdominisThe aponeurosis of the Obliquus externus abdominis is a thin but strong membranous structure, the fibers of which are directed downward and medially....
- Aponeurosis of the Serratus posterior superior muscleSerratus posterior superior muscleThe Serratus posterior superior is a thin, quadrilateral muscle, situated at the upper and back part of the thorax.It arises by a thin and broad aponeurosis from the lower part of the ligamentum nuchae, from the spinous processes of the seventh cervical and upper two or three thoracic vertebræ and...
- Plantar aponeurosis
- Inguinal aponeurotic falx
- Bicipital aponeurosisBicipital aponeurosisThe bicipital aponeurosis is a broad aponeurosis of the biceps brachii which is located in the cubital fossa of the elbow and separates superficial from deep structures in much of the fossa....
- Palatine aponeurosisPalatine aponeurosisAttached to the posterior border of the hard palate is a thin, firm fibrous lamella called the palatine aponeurosis, which supports the muscles and gives strength to the soft palate....
- FasciaFasciaA fascia is a layer of fibrous tissue that permeates the human body. A fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, binding those structures together in much the same manner as plastic wrap can be used to hold the contents of sandwiches...