Aponeuro'sis

Aponeuro'sis (Gr. apo, 'from,' and neuron, 'a string') is an anatomical term for an expansion of strong fibrous tissue, of which there are many examples in the human body. It is generally confined to expansions from the tendons of muscles, as the lumbar aponeurosis. If a tendon is very broad and expanded, as that of the external oblique muscle of the abdomen, it is said to be aponeurotic. Some muscles, as those on the shoulder-blade, are partially covered with a tendinous expansion, to which some of their fibres are attached. Aponeuroses stretch in some places as protections over large arteries.