title: [Integration of the musculoskeletal components by tendons and ligaments.]
abstract: Tendons transmit the mechanical force of skeletal muscle contraction to the bones, whereas ligaments connect the two bones together to stabilize the joint. During embryonic development, each component in the musculoskeletal system, initially develops as an individual primordium of tendon, ligament, skeletal muscle, and cartilage. Later, mutual interaction between these tissues plays an important role for the integration of the musculoskeletal components. Accumulating evidence suggests that myotendinous and osteotendinous/osteoligamentous junctions are important structures to maintain homeostasis of the integrated musculoskeletal components. In this review, we will focus on the establishment and maintenance of these junctions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Basic Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan.
authors.forename: Chisa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shukunami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology*