Final answer:
The claim that all tendons are made of dense irregular connective tissue is false; tendons, including the Achilles, are composed of dense regular connective tissue with aligned collagen fibers for strength during muscle contractions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Achilles was wounded by damage to the tendon connecting his calf muscles to his heel, and that all tendons are composed mainly of dense irregular connective tissue, is false. Tendons are made of dense regular connective tissue, not dense irregular. The Achilles tendon in particular is a robust cord that attaches the plantaris, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone. Tendons, like the Achilles, consist of fibrous connective tissue with collagen fibers aligned in parallel, which is characteristic of dense regular connective tissue. This structure provides great strength in a certain direction which is necessary for withstanding the tension from muscle contractions. Conversely, dense irregular connective tissue has fibers that are randomly arranged, which provides strength in multiple directions and is found in areas like the dermis of the skin.