Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2025
14:36
Evaluation of Muscle Function of the Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle Ex vivo and Tibialis Anterior Muscle In situ in Mice
Published on: February 9, 2013
42.4K
Aponeurosis structure-function properties: Evidence of heterogeneity and implications for muscle function
Benjamin B Wheatley1, Olivia L Dyer2, Emily E Tully1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Acta Biomaterialia
|July 1, 2023
Summary
Aponeurosis, a connective tissue, shows varied microstructure and stiffness between muscle and tendon regions. Accounting for this heterogeneity is crucial for accurate musculoskeletal models.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Connective Tissue Research
- Musculoskeletal System Analysis
Background:
- Aponeurosis plays a vital role in force transmission within the musculoskeletal system.
- Understanding aponeurosis structure-function relationships is limited, impacting muscle-tendon unit mechanics.
- Existing models often overlook aponeurosis heterogeneity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the heterogeneous material properties of porcine triceps brachii aponeurosis.
- To correlate aponeurosis microstructure with its mechanical behavior.
- To assess the impact of aponeurosis heterogeneity on computational models.
Main Methods:
- Materials testing of porcine triceps brachii aponeurosis.
- Scanning electron microscopy to analyze tissue microstructure.
- Finite element modeling to simulate muscle-tendon unit mechanics.
Main Results:
- Aponeurosis exhibited greater collagen waviness in the insertion region versus the transition region.
- The insertion region showed a less stiff stress-strain response compared to the transition region.
- Variations in aponeurosis elastic modulus significantly altered model stiffness and strain.
Conclusions:
- Aponeurosis heterogeneity may stem from variations in tissue microstructure (collagen waviness).
- Location-dependent material properties of aponeurosis influence its mechanical function.
- Accurate musculoskeletal modeling requires incorporating aponeurosis heterogeneity, challenging uniform assumptions.
Keywords:
Finite elementFinite element modelingHyperelasticMaterials testingMicrostructureScanning electron microscopySkeletal muscleMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:12Gross Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles
12.5K
The connective tissues play a significant role in arranging the muscle fibers into a hierarchical structure that forms a complete muscle. Consider a muscle like the bicep brachii, commonly called the bicep. This muscle comprises thousands of muscle fibers enclosed by a protective layer of connective tissue called the endomysium. The endomysium is primarily composed of reticular fibers, a type of thin collagen fiber. It allows the exchange of nutrients and waste products at the fiber level,...
12.5K
00:55Skeletal Muscle Anatomy
89.2K
Skeletal muscle is the most abundant type of muscle in the body. Tendons are the connective tissue that attaches skeletal muscle to bones. Skeletal muscles pull on tendons, which in turn pull on bones to carry out voluntary movements.
89.2K
01:15Overview of Skeletal Muscle
11.8K
Skeletal muscles are composed of a bundle of muscle fibers and are attached to bones through tendons. Each skeletal muscle fiber is a single muscle cell. The sarcolemma, the plasma membrane of a skeletal muscle cell, consists of a lipid bilayer and glycocalyx that supports muscle fibers. The sarcolemma extends into the muscle cells to form tubular structures called transverse or T-tubules. Each side of the T-tubules consists of a membrane-bound structure called the sarcoplasmic reticulum,...
11.8K
01:25Overview of Muscle Tissues
12.3K
The human body has three types of muscle tissue: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Each class has unique properties that enable them to perform specific functions. However, all muscle tissues share certain properties, including elasticity, contractility, and excitability.
Elasticity
Elasticity is the ability of muscles to stretch and return to their original shape. This property is partly due to elastic fibers — macromolecules that run through the muscles. These fibers are firm and...
Elasticity
Elasticity is the ability of muscles to stretch and return to their original shape. This property is partly due to elastic fibers — macromolecules that run through the muscles. These fibers are firm and...
12.3K
01:19The Neuromuscular Junction
9.9K
The nervous system consists of complex motor neuron circuits, including upper motor neurons originating from the cerebral cortex and lower motor neurons starting in the spinal cord, coordinating both voluntary and involuntary movements. Among these, somatic motor neurons activate skeletal muscles and are classified into alpha, beta, and gamma types. Alpha neurons are vital for voluntary movement coordination, while gamma neurons adjust muscle spindle sensitivity, and the function of beta...
9.9K
01:13Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles
5.9K
Smooth muscle tissue is a type of muscle tissue that can be found lining various vital organs in the human body, including the lungs, blood vessels, digestive tract, and respiratory tract. This type of tissue is responsible for regulating the movements of these organs, playing crucial roles in the functioning of various systems, including the vascular, digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems.
Structure of smooth muscle cell
Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped with tapering ends and a...
Structure of smooth muscle cell
Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped with tapering ends and a...
5.9K