For these
also the point of origin is the heart; for the heart has sinews within
itself in the largest of its three chambers, and the aorta is a
sinew-like vein; in fact, at its extremity it is actually a sinew, for
it is there no longer hollow, and is stretched like the sinews where
they terminate at the jointings of the bones. Be it remembered,
however, that the sinews do not proceed in unbroken sequence from
one point of origin, as do the blood-vessels.
For the veins have the shape of the entire body, like a sketch
of a mannikin; in such a way that the whole frame seems to be filled
up with little veins in attenuated subjects-for the space occupied
by flesh in fat individuals is filled with little veins in thin
ones-whereas the sinews are distributed about the joints and the
flexures of the bones. Now, if the sinews were derived in unbroken
sequence from a common point of departure, this continuity would be
discernible in attenuated specimens.
In the ham, or the part of the frame brought into full play in the
effort of leaping, is an important system of sinews; and another
sinew, a double one, is that called 'the tendon', and others are those
brought into play when a great effort of physical strength is
required; that is to say, the epitonos or back-stay and the
shoulder-sinews.
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