Achilles Tendon (Tendo Achillis) attaches the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of the calf of the leg to the heel-bone. It is capable of resisting a tension strain equal to 1000 lb. weight; and yet it is occasionally ruptured by the contraction of these muscles in sudden extension of the foot, such as may occur in the case of old gentlemen dancing, or in the attempt to recover equilibrium after a stumble. For the name, see ACHILLES. Ancient surgeons regarded wounds or serious bruises of the Achilles tendon as fatal.
Achilles Tendon
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 1: A to Beaufort, p. 35
Source scan(s): p. 0048