Growth and mechanobiology of the tendon-bone enthesis

Abstract

Tendons are cable-like connective tissues that transfer both active and passive forces generated by skeletal muscle to bone. In the mature skeleton, the tendon-bone enthesis is an interfacial zone of transitional tissue located between two mechanically dissimilar tissues: compliant, fibrous tendon to rigid, dense mineralized bone. In this review, we focus on emerging areas in enthesis development related to its structure, function, and mechanobiology, as well as highlight established and emerging signaling pathways and physiological processes that influence the formation and adaptation of this important transitional tissue.

Keywords: Enthesis; Fibrocartilage; Muscle loading; Tendon.