[Structure and configuration of human tendons. II. Development of tendon structure during ontogenesis].

In infants born in the 24th--30th weeks of the gravidity the praenatal development and the process of the organization of the tendinous structure have been examined by the authors. By means of photo- and polarization microscopic examinations it was found that the tendon of the flexor hand muscles (M. flexor carpi radialis, M. flexor digitorum comm.) shows mature tendinous structure earlier, than the tendons of the flexor muscles of the lower extremity (M. semitendinosus femoris, M. triceps surae). The tendons of the extensor muscles of the lower extremity (M. quadriceps femoris, M. tibialis ant.) are underdeveloped and inordinate in the foetal life--their structure develops only during the postnatal life.