Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (698 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Fibrous bands or cords of connective tissue at the ends of skeletal muscle fibers that serve to attach the muscles to bones and other structures.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Tendon; Tendons, Para-Articular; Para-Articular Tendon; Para-Articular Tendons; Tendon, Para-Articular; Tendons, Para Articular; Tendons, Paraarticular; Paraarticular Tendon.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Musculoskeletal System
- Narrower topics
- Achilles Tendon; Hamstring Tendons; Patellar Ligament; Rotator Cuff
- See also
- Tendon Transfer
Related concepts
- Connective Tissue
- Skeletal Muscle Fibers
- Muscles
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 53,940 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Tendons” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 12,151 of them (22.5%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 15,866 records.
Reviews account for 5,592 records (10.4%) and meta-analyses for 573. Randomized controlled trials number 1,656 (3.1%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 15,660 |
| 2000-2009 | 10,263 |
| 2010-2019 | 15,866 |
| 2020 onward | 12,151 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 5,592 | 10.4% |
| Meta-analyses | 573 | 1.1% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 1,656 | 3.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Tendons"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 10 | cc by PMID 41697693 · DOI · PMC12910452 |
| Immunolabelling and Micro-Computed Tomography Revealed Age-Related Alterations in 3D Microvasculature of Tendons | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 5 | cc by PMID 41250917 · DOI · PMC12740099 |
| FGF7 promotes load-bearing tendon regeneration and suppresses fibrosis | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 41455730 · DOI · PMC12820144 |
Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ImportanceShoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint often attributed to rotator cuff (RC) abnormalities.
- Closing excerpt
- These findings suggest that RC abnormalities often represent normal age-related changes rather than disease and call into question the clinical value of routine imaging for atraumatic shoulder pain.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (310 words)
ImportanceShoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint often attributed to rotator cuff (RC) abnormalities. Diagnostic imaging is frequently used, but the association between RC abnormalities and shoulder symptoms remains uncertain.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of RC abnormalities in a general population sample and their association with shoulder symptoms.Design, setting, and participantsPopulation-based cross-sectional study in a nationally representative random sample of adults aged 41 to 76 years who underwent standardized clinical assessment and bilateral 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulders conducted from February 2023 to April 2024 in Finland. Eligibility criteria included ability to undergo MRI and absence of previous shoulder replacement surgery.ExposuresStructured interviews, standardized questionnaires, clinical shoulder tests, and shoulder MRI.Main outcomes and measuresRC tendon status was classified on MRI as normal, tendinopathic, partial-thickness tear (PTT), or full-thickness tear (FTT). Shoulder symptoms were defined as pain or dysfunction in the preceding week. The prevalence of RC abnormalities was compared across age groups and between symptomatic and asymptomatic shoulders, adjusting for demographic factors, concurrent MRI findings, and clinical examination.ResultsAmong 602 participants (median age, 58 [range, 41-76] years; 52% female), RC abnormalities on MRI were found in 595 (98.7%; 95% CI, 97.5%-99.5%): 25% tendinopathy, 62% PTT, and 11% FTT. The prevalence and severity of abnormalities increased with age but did not differ between sexes. RC abnormalities were present in 96% of asymptomatic shoulders (1039 of 1076) and 98% of symptomatic shoulders (126 of 128). Only FTTs were more prevalent in symptomatic shoulders (14.6%) than in asymptomatic shoulders (6.5%), but this difference diminished after adjustment (absolute difference, 0.8%; 95% CI, -3.4% to 6.0%).Conclusions and relevanceIn this population-based study, RC abnormalities were nearly universal after age 40 years and showed poor concordance with shoulder symptoms. These findings suggest that RC abnormalities often represent normal age-related changes rather than disease and call into question the clinical value of routine imaging for atraumatic shoulder pain.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41697693 · DOI · PMC12910452
Immunolabelling and Micro-Computed Tomography Revealed Age-Related Alterations in 3D Microvasculature of Tendons [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Tendon degeneration is common, and its risk increases with age both in humans and horses.
- Closing excerpt
- These insights enhance our understanding of tendon ageing and may contribute to developing new therapeutic approaches for improving tendon health and repair in older individuals.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (246 words)
Tendon degeneration is common, and its risk increases with age both in humans and horses. Tendon regeneration and healing is limited due to inherent low cell density and vascularisation, and current treatments are insufficient as indicated by scar tissue formation and a high re-injury rate. The tendon vasculature plays a crucial role in tendon homeostasis, regeneration and healing, making it a potential therapeutic target. However, the effect of ageing on the tendon microvasculature is poorly understood. Here, we provide the first comprehensive characterisation of the tendon microvasculature. We employed high-resolution 3D imaging techniques, using micro-computed tomography (μCT) and confocal microscopy, to investigate age-related alterations in the vasculature within the equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), a functional equivalent of the human Achilles tendon. μCT analysis revealed a well-developed vascular network within the interfascicular matrix (IFM) and demonstrated significant age-associated reductions in vascular volume (70%), vessel diameter (30%) and density (74%). 3D immunolabelling showed significant reductions in MYH11- (96%) and desmin-positive (78%) volumes; however, there was a pronounced age-associated increase in von Willebrand factor (VWF)-positive volume (220%), which was accompanied by a significantly higher (249%) pericyte density. Taken together, these results indicate a loss of larger blood vessels in the IFM but an increase in small vessel formation, suggesting that neo-angiogenesis is induced in aged tendon alongside a loss of vascular homeostasis. These insights enhance our understanding of tendon ageing and may contribute to developing new therapeutic approaches for improving tendon health and repair in older individuals.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41250917 · DOI · PMC12740099
FGF7 promotes load-bearing tendon regeneration and suppresses fibrosis [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Tissue fibrosis is a major cause of organ dysfunction.
- Closing excerpt
- These findings elucidate FGF7's dual role in driving tenogenesis and inhibiting fibrosis, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (142 words)
Tissue fibrosis is a major cause of organ dysfunction. Preventing fibrosis in tissue pathological condition remains a significant clinical challenge. Here we investigate the role of fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) in mitigating fibrosis and promoting regeneration of load-bearing tendons. Fgf7 knockout mice exhibit impaired motor function and disordered matrix assembly in tendons. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals an enrichment of a pro-fibrotic cell subpopulation in Fgf7-deficient tendons, which is also predominant in human tendinopathy. Using ProTracer technology, we find that FGF7 deficiency drives proliferating cells toward this pro-fibrotic lineage. Furthermore, we find that FGF7 promotes the tenogenic differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells while suppressing their fibrotic differentiation. Importantly, a hydrogel loaded with recombinant FGF7 effectively reduces fibrosis and significantly promotes functional tendon regeneration in vivo. These findings elucidate FGF7's dual role in driving tenogenesis and inhibiting fibrosis, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41455730 · DOI · PMC12820144
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Outcomes for Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Versus Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone and Hamstring-Tendon Autografts [4]
- Research article Hamstring Autograft versus Patellar Tendon Autograft for ACL Reconstruction: Is There a Difference in Graft Failure Rate? A Meta-analysis of 47,613 Patients [5]
- Research article Operative treatment versus nonoperative treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures: systematic review and meta-analysis [6]
- Research article Bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts versus hamstring autografts for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament: meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Retear rates after rotator cuff surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis [8]
- Research article Complications after flexor tendon repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis [9]
References
- Ibounig T, Järvinen TLN, Raatikainen S, Härkänen T, Sillanpää N, Bensch F, et al.. Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging. . 2026. PMID 41697693 · DOI · PMC12910452
- Iwasaki N, Llewellyn J, Brown J, Zamboulis DE, Finding EJT, Wheeler-Jones CPD, et al.. Immunolabelling and Micro-Computed Tomography Revealed Age-Related Alterations in 3D Microvasculature of Tendons. . 2026. PMID 41250917 · DOI · PMC12740099
- Lin R, Luo J, Zhang H, Fan C, Hu Y, Yan R, et al.. FGF7 promotes load-bearing tendon regeneration and suppresses fibrosis. . 2025. PMID 41455730 · DOI · PMC12820144
- Mouarbes D, Menetrey J, Marot V, Courtot L, Berard E, Cavaignac E. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Outcomes for Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Versus Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone and Hamstring-Tendon Autografts. Am J Sports Med. 2019. PMID 30790526 · DOI
- Samuelsen BT, Webster KE, Johnson NR, Hewett TE, Krych AJ. Hamstring Autograft versus Patellar Tendon Autograft for ACL Reconstruction: Is There a Difference in Graft Failure Rate? A Meta-analysis of 47,613 Patients. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017. PMID 28205075 · DOI · PMC5599382
- Ochen Y, Beks RB, van Heijl M, Hietbrink F, Leenen LPH, van der Velde D, et al.. Operative treatment versus nonoperative treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2019. PMID 30617123 · DOI · PMC6322065
- Biau DJ, Tournoux C, Katsahian S, Schranz PJ, Nizard RS. Bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts versus hamstring autografts for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament: meta-analysis. BMJ. 2006. PMID 16603564 · DOI · PMC1450040
- Longo UG, Carnevale A, Piergentili I, Berton A, Candela V, Schena E, et al.. Retear rates after rotator cuff surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021. PMID 34465332 · DOI · PMC8408924
- Dy CJ, Hernandez-Soria A, Ma Y, Roberts TR, Daluiski A. Complications after flexor tendon repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Hand Surg Am. 2012. PMID 22317947 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.