Achilles tendon

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/achilles-tendon

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Calcaneal tendon
2. What is the primary musculature connection?Gastrocnemius and soleus muscles
3. What is the Achilles tendon and why is it important for jumping and running?The Achilles tendon is the thickest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. It helps push the foot down so you can jump, run, and stand on tiptoes.
4. How does the Achilles tendon help us move without using too much energy?When you walk, the tendon stretches and stores energy like a spring. It then releases that energy when you push off, making movement smoother and using less energy.

Triceps Surae: The collective term for the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in the calf.
Plantar Flexion: The movement of the foot downwards or away from the shin, achieved by the Achilles tendon.
Tendinosis: A degenerative condition of a tendon, often involving structural changes and pain.
Kinetic Chain: A series of interconnected joints and segments that work together to produce movement.