Structural and ultrastructural characteristics of bone-tendon junction of the calcaneal Tendon of adult and elderly Wistar rats

29Citations
Citations of this article
49Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Tendons are transition tissues that transfer the contractile forces generated by the muscles to the bones, allowing movement. The region where the tendon attaches to the bone is called bone-tendon junction or enthesis and may be classified as fibrous or fibrocartilaginous. This study aims to analyze the collagen fibers and the cells present in the bone-tendon junction using light microscopy and ultrastructural techniques as scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Forty male Wistar rats were used in the experiment, being 20 adult rats at 4 months-old and 20 elderly rats at 20 months-old. The hind limbs of the rats were removed, dissected and prepared to light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The aging process showed changes in the collagen fibrils, with a predominance of type III fibers in the elderly group, in addition to a decrease in the amount of the fibrocartilage cells, fewer and shorter cytoplasmic processes and a decreased synthetic capacity due to degradation of the organelles involved in synthesis.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Cury, D. P., Dias, F. J., Miglino, M. A., & Watanabe, I. S. (2016). Structural and ultrastructural characteristics of bone-tendon junction of the calcaneal Tendon of adult and elderly Wistar rats. PLoS ONE, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0153568

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free