die
Achillessehne
🦶 What exactly is die Achillessehne?
Die Achillessehne (Latin: Tendo calcaneus or Tendo Achillis), known in English as the Achilles tendon, is the strongest tendon in the human body. It connects the calf muscle (Musculus triceps surae) to the heel bone (Calcaneus) and enables the lifting of the foot during walking, running, and jumping. It owes its name to the Greek hero Achilles, whose only vulnerable spot was his heel. Anatomically, it's a Sehne (tendon).
There is only this one meaning for the word, and it is always feminine: die Achillessehne.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar: Declining die Achillessehne
The noun „Achillessehne“ is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Achillessehne |
| Genitive | der | Achillessehne |
| Dative | der | Achillessehne |
| Accusative | die | Achillessehne |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Achillessehnen |
| Genitive | der | Achillessehnen |
| Dative | den | Achillessehnen |
| Accusative | die | Achillessehnen |
Example Sentences:
- Die Achillessehne kann bei Überlastung reißen. (The Achilles tendon can tear under excessive strain.)
- Er spürte einen stechenden Schmerz in seiner rechten Achillessehne. (He felt a sharp pain in his right Achilles tendon.)
- Nach der Operation musste die Achillessehne langsam wieder belastet werden. (After the surgery, the Achilles tendon had to be gradually loaded again.)
- Die Dehnung der Achillessehnen ist wichtig für Läufer. (Stretching the Achilles tendons is important for runners.)
🏃♀️ When do you talk about die Achillessehne?
The term „Achillessehne“ is primarily used in medical and sports contexts. Doctors discuss it in relation to injuries like tendonitis (Sehnenentzündung) or tears (Rupturen). Athletes, especially runners and jumpers, need to pay attention to the health of their Achillessehnen.
Figuratively, people sometimes refer to the „Achillesferse“ (Achilles' heel, not tendon!) to describe a weak spot or vulnerability of a person or thing. ⚠️ Do not confuse die Achillessehne (anatomical part) with die Achillesferse (weak spot, often metaphorical).
- Typical Verbs: dehnen (to stretch), stärken (to strengthen), reißen (to tear), entzünden (to inflame), operieren (to operate on), schonen (to rest/protect)
- Typical Contexts: Sportverletzung (sports injury), Orthopädie (orthopedics), Physiotherapie (physical therapy), Training (training)
💡 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Remember that the general word for tendon, „Sehne“, is feminine (die Sehne). Since „Achillessehne“ ends in „-sehne“, it is also feminine: die Achillessehne.
Meaning Mnemonic: Picture the hero Achilles wincing and grabbing the tendon (Sehne) on his heel – his only weak spot. This connects the name to the body part.
🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms
Synonyms:
- Fersensehne: (Heel tendon) A common, purely anatomical synonym.
- Tendo calcaneus (Latin): The medical Latin term.
- Tendo Achillis (Latin): An alternative Latin designation.
Antonyms:
For anatomical terms like „Achillessehne“, direct antonyms in the sense of opposites don't really exist. One could at most name tendons with opposing functions, but this is rarely useful.
Similar Terms (Beware of Confusion!):
- Achillesferse: (Achilles' heel) Refers to the heel itself or, metaphorically, a weak spot. Not the tendon!
- Sehne: (Tendon) The general term for connective tissue structures that connect muscles to bones.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Arzt den Marathonläufer: „Haben Sie familiäre Vorbelastungen mit Achillessehnenproblemen?“
Antwortet der Läufer: „Nein, aber mein Urgroßvater kannte mal einen Griechen…“
(Translation: The doctor asks the marathon runner: "Do you have a family history of Achilles tendon problems?" The runner replies: "No, but my great-grandfather once knew a Greek guy...")
📜 A Short Poem
Vom Wadenmuskel stark und lang,
zum Fersenbein führt ihr Strang.
Die Achillessehne, wohlbekannt,
trägt uns durchs ganze Land.
Doch Obacht, sei stets auf der Hut,
zu viel Belastung tut nicht gut!
(Translation: From the calf muscle, strong and long, / to the heel bone runs its throng. / The Achilles tendon, well renowned, / carries us all over ground. / But beware, be ever on guard, / too much strain can hit quite hard!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich verbinde Muskelkraft mit Knochen,
bin nach 'nem Helden benannt, dem griech'schen.
Bin ich verletzt, ist's Laufen kaum zu hoffen.
An deiner Ferse kannst du mich erforschen.
Wer bin ich?
(Translation: I connect muscle power with bone, / I'm named after a hero, a Greek one shown. / If I am injured, running is barely known. / On your heel, my presence can be shown.
Who am I?)
Solution: die Achillessehne (the Achilles tendon)
🏛️ Origin and Interesting Facts
Word Composition & Origin:
The word „Achillessehne“ is a compound word, composed of:
- Achilles: Name of the hero from Greek mythology. According to legend, he was only vulnerable at the heel where his mother Thetis held him when she dipped him into the river Styx to make him invulnerable. An arrow to this spot proved fatal.
- Sehne: The German word for the anatomical structure (tendon).
The term became established in the 17th century thanks to the Flemish anatomist Philip Verheyen, who named the tendon after operating on his own leg, possibly alluding to the myth.
Trivia:
- A tear of the Achilles tendon (Achillessehnenruptur) is a common sports injury.
- It can withstand forces up to 10 times the body weight.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Achillessehne?
The word "Achillessehne" is always feminine. The correct article is die Achillessehne (plural: die Achillessehnen).