Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

42 Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology

(Rasch and Burke, 1978), and the Achilles tendon

can resist tensile loads equal to or greater than steel

of similar dimensions (Hamill and Knutzen, 1995).

Due to the large forces transmitted by tendons and

aponeuroses (G. apon, from + neuron, sinew), the

attachment of a tendon often gives rise to a raised

tubercle, and an aponeurosis to a line or ridge on

the bone to which it attaches.

Origin and Insertion

These connective tissue attachments of muscles

to bones have historically been termed the origin

and insertion of a muscle; the origin generally stays

stationary as the segment containing the insertion

moves. However, more recent texts, including this

text, have elected to substitute the terms proximal

FIGURE 2.6 Structure of skeletal muscle and related connective tissue.

Reprinted, by permission, from R.S. Behnke, 2006, Kinetic anatomy, 2nd ed. (Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics), p. 14.

FIGURE 2.7 Attachments of muscles onto bones (A) directly, or indirectly through a (B) tendon or (C) aponeurosis.

Periosteum

Tendon

Fascia

Skeletal muscle

Epimysium

Perimysium

Endomysium

Myofilaments

Thin (actin)

filament

Thick (myosin)

filament

Striations

Myofibril

Sarcoplasm

Sarcolemma

Nucleus

Muscle fiber