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Myotendinous Junction
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The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is the connection between muscle and tendon tissue.
Structure
The MTJ has finger-like processes with invaginations and evaginations of the sarcolemma. These processes might have various functions.
- It increases the surface area by 10-20 times compared to a planar surface, and in doing so decreases stress.
- It also positions the membranes at very low angles relative to the applied stress, and in doing so it causes the membranes to be primarily subjected to shear stress. The adhesion strength is theoretically much higher during shear loading compared to tension loading.
Structure and Function
The MTJ allows force that is generated by the muscle to be transmitted from the muscle filaments to the collagen fibres of the adjoining tendon.
Injury
Injuries to the MTJ are common. Failure occurs either at the muscle-tendon junction or in the muscle belly itself.
In atrophied muscle the contact area between muscle and tendon is reduced.[1]
- ↑ de Palma L, Marinelli M, Bertoni-Freddari C. Involvement of the muscle-tendon junction in skeletal muscle atrophy: an ultrastructural study. Rom J Morphol Embryol 2011: 52 (1): 105–109.
