Mature murine supraspinatus tendons demonstrate regional differences in multiscale structure, function and gene expression.

The hierarchical structure of tendon dictates its ability to effectively transmit loads from muscle to bone. Tendon- and site-specific differences in mechanical loading result in the establishment and remodeling of structure, as well as associated changes in composition throughout development and healing. Previous work has demonstrated region-specific differences in the response of collagen fibrils to mechanical loading within the insertion region and midsubstance regions of mouse supraspinatus tendons using atomic force microscopy.