Tendon Fibroblast Cells Quick Facts
The body is essentially made of the muscular and skeletal system. The muscles are attached to the bones, causing them to move. The muscles and the bones are attached to one another with tendons. Tendons are much like ligaments in that they are tough and flexible. The tendons are made up of fibroblast cells.
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Fibroblast
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A fibroblast is a cell that both produces and secretes a number of different fibers. Tendons are made of specific fibroblasts called tendinocytes that are organized in a very regular pattern. Tendinocytes are more flat than other types of fibroblast cells.
Fiber Production
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Tendon fibroblast cells produce collagens, as well as reticular and elastic fibers. Collagen fibers contribute to the toughness of the tendon, while the other fibers produced by the tendinocyte contribute to the elasticity. Layers of tendinocytes in the tendon lie between layers of the collagen that they produce.
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Wound
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Tendons can be damaged by deep cuts and lacerations. Because the tendons attach the muscles to the bones, a damaged or severed tendon may make it difficult to move the affected area. If you suffer a serious cut that damages the tendon, wash your hands and the cut immediately, wrap the wound and go to a hospital as soon as possible.
Healing
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The tendon fibroblast cells produce the collagen that is essential to healing. A damaged tendon will then be able to heal itself relatively well.
Surgery
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A badly torn or damaged tendon will need to be sewn together. This allows the fibroblast cells to more effectively connect their collagen fibers, healing the wound faster.
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References
- Photo Credit human body image by Alhazm Salemi from Fotolia.com
