Although referring to a well-known character from the Trojan War of the 12th or 13th century BC, the thick tendon behind the ankle only came to be known as the Achilles’ tendon after the late 17th century. The oldest-known written record of the tendon bearing the name is from 1693 by the Flemish/Dutch anatomist Philip Verheyen (1648-1710). In his widely used anatomical work, Corporis Humani Anatomia he described the tendon's location and said that it was commonly called 'the cord of Achilles'.
The tendon had been described as early as the time of Hippocrates, who described it as the 'tendo magnus' (Latin for 'great tendon'), although there is some debate about this. From what I can ascertain, Hippocrates did not call the Achilles tendon the 'tendo magnus'. He referred to it instead as the 'neura megala', which translates as 'great tendon'. The term 'tendo magnus' was used by later anatomists prior to Verheyen. Another associated term was 'chorda Hippocratis' (Latin for 'Hippocrates' string').
In using the term Achilles’ tendon, Verheyen is referring to the mythological account of Achilles being dipped into the River Styx by his mother Thetis while being held by his heel. Where the water wetted him, his body was rendered invulnerable. As the heel by which his mother held him was not touched by the water, it was his one vulnerable spot (hence the association of the phrase 'Achilles' heel' with having a specific vulnerability). Achilles was eventually killed by a poison dart, which struck him in the heel.
What is particularly interesting about Verheyen’s naming of this tendon is that he is reputed to have done so having dissected his own amputated leg. There is even a painting of him doing so (below).That leg was not deliberately amputated for purposes of dissection, of course, but the exact reason for its loss I have been unable to find out. Similarly, I have been unable to find out who painted the painting. One source describes it as “Anonymous. From the collection of Pieter Deheijde.”
There is also a suggestion that Verheyen lost his leg fairly early in life. If so, that makes this painting look somewhat anachronistic and calls into question this fascinating story.
