Achilles tendon

See also: Achilles' tendon

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Calque of New Latin tendo Achillis, in reference to the mythological account of Achilles being held by the heel when dipped in the River Styx. Its coinage has been attributed to Dutch anatomist Philip Verheyden in 1693, but the term is first attested in 1684.[1]

Noun

Achilles tendon (plural Achilles tendons)

  1. (anatomy) The strong tendon formed of the united tendons of the large muscles in the calf of the leg, and inserted into the bone of the heel.
    • 2023 December 20, Sam Joseph, “Aaron Rodgers writes off this season as ‘lost year,’ but quarterback says he feels ‘I can play more years’ in NFL”, in CNN‎[1]:
      Superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who ruptured his left Achilles tendon just four snaps into his New York Jets career, has written off this season as a “lost year,” though he feels he can “play more years” in the NFL.

Synonyms

Derived terms

  • Achilles jerk, Achilles reflex

Translations

References

  1. ^ Sawai, Tadashi (2025), “Reappraisal of the Etymology of tendo Achillis: Achilles, the Aggressor or the Sufferer?”, in Clinical Anatomy, volume 38, number 7, →DOI, pages 770–779

Further reading

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