Allometry of the Tendon Enthesis: Mechanisms of Load Transfer Between Tendon and Bone

J Biomech Eng. 2015 Nov;137(11):111005. doi: 10.1115/1.4031571.

Abstract

Several features of the tendon-to-bone attachment were examined allometrically to determine load transfer mechanisms. The humeral head diameter increased geometrically with animal mass. Area of the attachment site exhibited a near isometric increase with muscle physiological cross section. In contrast, the interfacial roughness as well as the mineral gradient width demonstrated a hypoallometric relationship with physiologic cross-sectional area (PCSA). The isometric increase in attachment area indicates that as muscle forces increase, the attachment area increases accordingly, thus maintaining a constant interfacial stress. Due to the presence of constant stresses at the attachment, the micrometer-scale features may not need to vary with increasing load.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Connective Tissue / anatomy & histology*
  • Connective Tissue / physiology
  • Dogs
  • Humeral Head / anatomy & histology
  • Humeral Head / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Tendons / anatomy & histology
  • Tendons / physiology*
  • Weight-Bearing