<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii" standalone="yes"?>
<!--XBRL Document Created with XBRLMaster-->
<!--Version: 2.3.08-->
<!--Based on XBRL 2.1-->
<!--Date of creation: 03-30-2023-->
<!--Software architectural design and coding: A'c Dharmapremananda Avt.-->
<!--Copyright (c) 2023 I-NET Business Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/Cover" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#Cover" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLoss" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLoss" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/DescriptionOfBusiness" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#DescriptionOfBusiness" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/BalanceSheetComponents" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#BalanceSheetComponents" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/NotePayable" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#NotePayable" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/MERGER" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#MERGER" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquity" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#StockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/KBenefitPlan" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#KBenefitPlan" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsTables" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#BalanceSheetComponentsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/MergerTables" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#MergerTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#StockholdersEquityTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#IncomeTaxesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/DescriptionOfBusinessDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#DescriptionOfBusinessDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsDetails" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#BalanceSheetComponentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#BalanceSheetComponentsDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/NotePayableDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#NotePayableDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/MergerDetails" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#MergerDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/MergerDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#MergerDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails1" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails1" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails2" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails2" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails3" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails3" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails4" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails4" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails5" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails5" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails6" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails6" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails7" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails7" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails1" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails1" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/KBenefitPlanDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#KBenefitPlanDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails1" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetails1" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://tenx.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" />
  <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" />
  <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" />
  <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" />
  <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#notAll" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/notAll" />
  <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/Cover" xlink:title="00000001 - Document - Cover Page Information">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_CoverAbstract" xlink:label="loc_deiCover" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:title="000002 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:title="000003 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" order="30" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain_10" order="40" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSeriesAPreferredStockMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSeriesAPreferredStockMember" order="21" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesAuthorized" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesAuthorized" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesAuthorized" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesAuthorized" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesIssued" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesIssued" order="4" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesOutstanding" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesOutstanding" order="5" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" order="6" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesIssued" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesIssued" order="7" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesOutstanding" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesOutstanding" order="8" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLoss" xlink:title="000004 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:title="000005 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" order="30" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain_10" order="40" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockMember" order="21" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockMember" order="22" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" order="23" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" order="24" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRetainedEarningsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRetainedEarningsMember" order="25" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSharesIssued" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSharesIssued" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquity" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquity" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions" order="4" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_CommonStockIssuedForConvertiblePreferredStockShares" xlink:label="loc_tenxCommonStockIssuedForConvertiblePreferredStockShares" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxCommonStockIssuedForConvertiblePreferredStockShares" order="5" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_CommonStockIssuedForConvertiblePreferredStockAmount" xlink:label="loc_tenxCommonStockIssuedForConvertiblePreferredStockAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxCommonStockIssuedForConvertiblePreferredStockAmount" order="6" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_PreFundedWarrantsSoldNetOfOfferingCosts" xlink:label="loc_tenxPreFundedWarrantsSoldNetOfOfferingCosts" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxPreFundedWarrantsSoldNetOfOfferingCosts" order="7" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_CompensationOnOptionsIssued" xlink:label="loc_tenxCompensationOnOptionsIssued" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxCompensationOnOptionsIssued" order="8" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesWarrantsExercised" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesWarrantsExercised" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesWarrantsExercised" order="9" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueWarrantsExercised" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueWarrantsExercised" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueWarrantsExercised" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ExerciseOfStockOptionsShares" xlink:label="loc_tenxExerciseOfStockOptionsShares" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxExerciseOfStockOptionsShares" order="11" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ExerciseOfStockOptionsAmount" xlink:label="loc_tenxExerciseOfStockOptionsAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxExerciseOfStockOptionsAmount" order="12" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesUnrealizedGainLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapMarketableSecuritiesUnrealizedGainLoss" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapMarketableSecuritiesUnrealizedGainLoss" order="13" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_NetIncomeLosses" xlink:label="loc_tenxNetIncomeLosses" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxNetIncomeLosses" order="14" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_PreFundedWarrantsAndWarrantsSoldNetOfOfferingCosts" xlink:label="loc_tenxPreFundedWarrantsAndWarrantsSoldNetOfOfferingCosts" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxPreFundedWarrantsAndWarrantsSoldNetOfOfferingCosts" order="15" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ExerciseOfPreFundedWarrantsShares" xlink:label="loc_tenxExerciseOfPreFundedWarrantsShares" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxExerciseOfPreFundedWarrantsShares" order="16" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ExerciseOfPreFundedWarrantsAmount" xlink:label="loc_tenxExerciseOfPreFundedWarrantsAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxExerciseOfPreFundedWarrantsAmount" order="17" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:title="000006 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/DescriptionOfBusiness" xlink:title="000007 - Disclosure - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:title="000008 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/BalanceSheetComponents" xlink:title="000009 - Disclosure - BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/NotePayable" xlink:title="000010 - Disclosure - NOTE PAYABLE" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/MERGER" xlink:title="000011 - Disclosure - MERGER" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquity" xlink:title="000012 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:title="000013 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/KBenefitPlan" xlink:title="000014 - Disclosure - 401(k) BENEFIT PLAN" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:title="000015 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:title="000016 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:title="000017 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:title="000018 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsTables" xlink:title="000019 - Disclosure - BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS (Tables)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/MergerTables" xlink:title="000020 - Disclosure - MERGER (Tables)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables" xlink:title="000021 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Tables)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables" xlink:title="000022 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables" xlink:title="000023 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Tables)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/DescriptionOfBusinessDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="000024 - Disclosure - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS (Details Narrative)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:title="000025 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" order="30" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_10" order="40" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_WarrantsToPurchaseCommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxWarrantsToPurchaseCommonStockMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxWarrantsToPurchaseCommonStockMember" order="21" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_PreFundedWarrantsToPurchaseCommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxPreFundedWarrantsToPurchaseCommonStockMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxPreFundedWarrantsToPurchaseCommonStockMember" order="22" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_OptionsToPurchaseCommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxOptionsToPurchaseCommonStockMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxOptionsToPurchaseCommonStockMember" order="23" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_CovertiblePreferredSharesOutstandingMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxCovertiblePreferredSharesOutstandingMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxCovertiblePreferredSharesOutstandingMember" order="24" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="000026 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details Narrative)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsDetails" xlink:title="000027 - Disclosure - BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS (Details)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="000028 - Disclosure - BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS (Details Narrative)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/NotePayableDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="000029 - Disclosure - NOTE PAYABLE (Details Narrative)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/MergerDetails" xlink:title="000030 - Disclosure - MERGER (Details)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/MergerDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="000031 - Disclosure - MERGER (Details Narrative)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:title="000032 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Details)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails1" xlink:title="000033 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain" order="30" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain_10" order="40" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ExercisePriceOneMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxExercisePriceOneMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxExercisePriceOneMember" order="21" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ExercisePriceTwoMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxExercisePriceTwoMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxExercisePriceTwoMember" order="22" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ExercisePriceThreeMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxExercisePriceThreeMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxExercisePriceThreeMember" order="23" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ExercisePriceFourMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxExercisePriceFourMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxExercisePriceFourMember" order="24" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableNumber" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableNumber" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="4" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails2" xlink:title="000034 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Details 2)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" order="30" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" order="40" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockOptionsMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockOptionsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockOptionsMember" order="21" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedNumberOfShares" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedNumberOfShares" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedNumberOfShares" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_tenxShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue" xlink:label="loc_tenxShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_WeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeYearsVested" xlink:label="loc_tenxWeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeYearsVested" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxWeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeYearsVested" order="4" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber" order="5" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="6" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue" order="7" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_WeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeYearsVestedAndExpectedToVest" xlink:label="loc_tenxWeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeYearsVestedAndExpectedToVest" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxWeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeYearsVestedAndExpectedToVest" order="8" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails3" xlink:title="000035 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Details 3)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" order="30" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_GrantUnderTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxGrantUnderTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxGrantUnderTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember" order="11" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_OptionsGrantedSharesAvailableForGrantBeginning" xlink:label="loc_tenxOptionsGrantedSharesAvailableForGrantBeginning" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxOptionsGrantedSharesAvailableForGrantBeginning" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_SharesReservedUnder2022Plan" xlink:label="loc_tenxSharesReservedUnder2022Plan" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxSharesReservedUnder2022Plan" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_SharesRolledOverFrom2016Plan" xlink:label="loc_tenxSharesRolledOverFrom2016Plan" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxSharesRolledOverFrom2016Plan" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_OptionsGranted" xlink:label="loc_tenxOptionsGranted" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxOptionsGranted" order="4" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_OptionsCancelledForfeitedsharesavailableforcancelledorforfeited" xlink:label="loc_tenxOptionsCancelledForfeitedsharesavailableforcancelledorforfeited" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxOptionsCancelledForfeitedsharesavailableforcancelledorforfeited" order="5" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_OptionsGrantedSharesAvailableForGrantEnding" xlink:label="loc_tenxOptionsGrantedSharesAvailableForGrantEnding" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxOptionsGrantedSharesAvailableForGrantEnding" order="6" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails4" xlink:title="000036 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Details 4)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" order="30" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_GrantUnderTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxGrantUnderTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxGrantUnderTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember" order="11" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="5" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="6" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="7" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails5" xlink:title="000037 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Details 5)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" order="30" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_GrantUnderTwoThousandsixteenMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxGrantUnderTwoThousandsixteenMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxGrantUnderTwoThousandsixteenMember" order="11" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod" order="4" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="6" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="7" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="8" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="9" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails6" xlink:title="000038 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Details 6)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" order="30" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_GrantUnderTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxGrantUnderTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxGrantUnderTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember" order="11" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" order="4" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails7" xlink:title="000039 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Details 7)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" order="30" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockOptionsOneNineNineNineMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockOptionsOneNineNineNineMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockOptionsOneNineNineNineMember" order="11" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="4" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="5" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="000040 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Details Narrative)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain_10" order="30" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAwardDateAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAwardDateAxis" order="30" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAwardDateDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardDateAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAwardDateDomain" order="40" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAwardDateDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardDateAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAwardDateDomain_10" order="50" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis" order="40" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" order="50" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_10" order="60" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" order="60" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" order="70" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_10" order="80" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" order="70" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" order="80" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" order="90" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" order="90" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyDomain" order="100" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyDomain_10" order="110" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSeriesAPreferredStockMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSeriesAPreferredStockMember" order="91" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_MayTwoThousandTwentyTwoOfferingMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxMayTwoThousandTwentyTwoOfferingMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardDateDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxMayTwoThousandTwentyTwoOfferingMember" order="92" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_WarrantOneMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxWarrantOneMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxWarrantOneMember" order="93" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_PreFundedWarrantsMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxPreFundedWarrantsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxPreFundedWarrantsMember" order="94" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_July2021WarrantsMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxJuly2021WarrantsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxJuly2021WarrantsMember" order="95" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSeriesBPreferredStockMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSeriesBPreferredStockMember" order="96" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_JulyTwoThousandTwentyOneOfferingMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxJulyTwoThousandTwentyOneOfferingMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardDateDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxJulyTwoThousandTwentyOneOfferingMember" order="97" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_March2020WarrantsMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxMarch2020WarrantsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxMarch2020WarrantsMember" order="98" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_May2022WarrantsMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxMay2022WarrantsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxMay2022WarrantsMember" order="99" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_FiveYearWarrantMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxFiveYearWarrantMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxFiveYearWarrantMember" order="100" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_FirstInducementStockOptionsMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxFirstInducementStockOptionsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxFirstInducementStockOptionsMember" order="101" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_SecondInducementStockOptionsMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxSecondInducementStockOptionsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxSecondInducementStockOptionsMember" order="102" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_InducementStockOptionsMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxInducementStockOptionsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxInducementStockOptionsMember" order="103" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_Amended1999StockPlanMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxAmended1999StockPlanMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxAmended1999StockPlanMember" order="104" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_PlanStockOptions2022Member" xlink:label="loc_tenxPlanStockOptions2022Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxPlanStockOptions2022Member" order="105" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_PlanStockOptions2016Member" xlink:label="loc_tenxPlanStockOptions2016Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxPlanStockOptions2016Member" order="106" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockIncentivePlan2016Member" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockIncentivePlan2016Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockIncentivePlan2016Member" order="107" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockIncentivePlan2022Member" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockIncentivePlan2022Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockIncentivePlan2022Member" order="108" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_CheifMedicalOfficerMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxCheifMedicalOfficerMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxCheifMedicalOfficerMember" order="109" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_JulyTwoThousandTwentyAndMarchTwoThousandTwentyOfferingsMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxJulyTwoThousandTwentyAndMarchTwoThousandTwentyOfferingsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardDateDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxJulyTwoThousandTwentyAndMarchTwoThousandTwentyOfferingsMember" order="110" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_July2020OfferingMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxJuly2020OfferingMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardDateDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxJuly2020OfferingMember" order="111" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_December2018OfferingMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxDecember2018OfferingMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxDecember2018OfferingMember" order="112" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_July2020WarrantsMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxJuly2020WarrantsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxJuly2020WarrantsMember" order="113" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_WarrantsIssuedForServicesMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxWarrantsIssuedForServicesMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxWarrantsIssuedForServicesMember" order="114" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesAuthorized" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesAuthorized" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_CommonStocksSharesIssued" xlink:label="loc_tenxCommonStocksSharesIssued" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxCommonStocksSharesIssued" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesOutstanding" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesOutstanding" order="4" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ConversionOfPreferredStockIntoCommonStockMaximumOwnershipLimitPercentage" xlink:label="loc_tenxConversionOfPreferredStockIntoCommonStockMaximumOwnershipLimitPercentage" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxConversionOfPreferredStockIntoCommonStockMaximumOwnershipLimitPercentage" order="5" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_PurchasePricePerUnit" xlink:label="loc_tenxPurchasePricePerUnit" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxPurchasePricePerUnit" order="6" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightOutstanding" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightOutstanding" order="7" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_tenxExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxExercisePrice" order="8" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockUnitsIssued" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockUnitsIssued" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockUnitsIssued" order="9" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" order="11" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStock" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDividendsPreferredStock" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDividendsPreferredStock" order="12" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionPrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockConvertibleConversionPrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockConvertibleConversionPrice" order="13" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesOutstanding" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesOutstanding" order="14" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesIssued" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesIssued" order="15" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights" order="16" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement" order="17" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockIssuedDuringPeriodsShares" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockIssuedDuringPeriodsShares" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockIssuedDuringPeriodsShares" order="18" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueOther" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueOther" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueOther" order="19" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_PrefundedWarrantsFairValue" xlink:label="loc_tenxPrefundedWarrantsFairValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxPrefundedWarrantsFairValue" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_WarrantsFairValue" xlink:label="loc_tenxWarrantsFairValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxWarrantsFairValue" order="21" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByEachWarrantOrRight" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByEachWarrantOrRight" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByEachWarrantOrRight" order="22" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_WarrantToPurchaseOfCommonStockExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_tenxWarrantToPurchaseOfCommonStockExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxWarrantToPurchaseOfCommonStockExercisePrice" order="23" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueOptionIneligibleItemsAggregateCarryingAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueOptionIneligibleItemsAggregateCarryingAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueOptionIneligibleItemsAggregateCarryingAmount" order="24" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_WarrantToPurchaseOfUnregisteredCommonStock" xlink:label="loc_tenxWarrantToPurchaseOfUnregisteredCommonStock" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxWarrantToPurchaseOfUnregisteredCommonStock" order="25" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_WarrantToPurchaseOfUnregisteredCommonStockValue" xlink:label="loc_tenxWarrantToPurchaseOfUnregisteredCommonStockValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxWarrantToPurchaseOfUnregisteredCommonStockValue" order="26" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" order="27" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockOptionsDescription" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockOptionsDescription" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockOptionsDescription" order="28" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross" order="29" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" order="30" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" order="31" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_DividendYield" xlink:label="loc_tenxDividendYield" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxDividendYield" order="32" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" order="33" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" order="34" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" order="35" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_EstimatedFairValueOfInducementStockOptionAwardGranted" xlink:label="loc_tenxEstimatedFairValueOfInducementStockOptionAwardGranted" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxEstimatedFairValueOfInducementStockOptionAwardGranted" order="36" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" order="37" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" order="38" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockOptionsGrantedFairMarketValuePercentage" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockOptionsGrantedFairMarketValuePercentage" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockOptionsGrantedFairMarketValuePercentage" order="39" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_UnvestedSharesUnderlyingOutstandingStockAwards" xlink:label="loc_tenxUnvestedSharesUnderlyingOutstandingStockAwards" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxUnvestedSharesUnderlyingOutstandingStockAwards" order="40" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_OutstandingStockAwards" xlink:label="loc_tenxOutstandingStockAwards" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxOutstandingStockAwards" order="41" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherGeneralExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapOtherGeneralExpense" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapOtherGeneralExpense" order="42" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" order="43" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" order="44" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockOptionsGrantedVestingPeriod" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockOptionsGrantedVestingPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockOptionsGrantedVestingPeriod" order="45" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_NumberOfSharesPreviouslyAuthorizedForIssuance" xlink:label="loc_tenxNumberOfSharesPreviouslyAuthorizedForIssuance" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxNumberOfSharesPreviouslyAuthorizedForIssuance" order="46" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized" order="47" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertiblePreferredStockTermsOfConversion" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapConvertiblePreferredStockTermsOfConversion" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapConvertiblePreferredStockTermsOfConversion" order="48" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StockConvertibleIntoAggregateSharesOfCommonStock" xlink:label="loc_tenxStockConvertibleIntoAggregateSharesOfCommonStock" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxStockConvertibleIntoAggregateSharesOfCommonStock" order="49" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:title="000041 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails1" xlink:title="000042 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details 1)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="000043 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details Narrative)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" order="30" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_SimdaxLicenseAgreementMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxSimdaxLicenseAgreementMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxSimdaxLicenseAgreementMember" order="11" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_AnnualLeaseTermMinimum" xlink:label="loc_tenxAnnualLeaseTermMinimum" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxAnnualLeaseTermMinimum" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_AnnualLeaseTermMaximum" xlink:label="loc_tenxAnnualLeaseTermMaximum" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxAnnualLeaseTermMaximum" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_GrantPaidToAuthorityOne" xlink:label="loc_tenxGrantPaidToAuthorityOne" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxGrantPaidToAuthorityOne" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_GrantPaidToAuthority" xlink:label="loc_tenxGrantPaidToAuthority" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxGrantPaidToAuthority" order="4" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_NonRefundableUpFrontPayment" xlink:label="loc_tenxNonRefundableUpFrontPayment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxNonRefundableUpFrontPayment" order="5" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_NonRefundableCommercializationMilestonePayment" xlink:label="loc_tenxNonRefundableCommercializationMilestonePayment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxNonRefundableCommercializationMilestonePayment" order="6" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLongtermPurchaseCommitmentPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLongtermPurchaseCommitmentPeriod" order="7" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseOptionToExtend" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLesseeOperatingLeaseOptionToExtend" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLesseeOperatingLeaseOptionToExtend" order="8" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_DescriptionOfLeaseContract" xlink:label="loc_tenxDescriptionOfLeaseContract" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxDescriptionOfLeaseContract" order="9" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_AnnualBaseRentIncreased" xlink:label="loc_tenxAnnualBaseRentIncreased" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxAnnualBaseRentIncreased" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_PercentageOfAnnualIncreaseInRent" xlink:label="loc_tenxPercentageOfAnnualIncreaseInRent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxPercentageOfAnnualIncreaseInRent" order="11" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/KBenefitPlanDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="000044 - Disclosure - 401(k) BENEFIT PLAN (Details Narrative)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" order="30" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_FourZeroOnekRetirementSavingsPlanMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxFourZeroOnekRetirementSavingsPlanMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxFourZeroOnekRetirementSavingsPlanMember" order="11" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_ContributionTermPeriod" xlink:label="loc_tenxContributionTermPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxContributionTermPeriod" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionContributions" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPensionContributions" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPensionContributions" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent" order="3" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:title="000045 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Details)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails1" xlink:title="000046 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Details 1)" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="000047 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Details Narrative)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" order="30" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_10" order="40" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_DomesticCountryMemberMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxDomesticCountryMemberMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxDomesticCountryMemberMember" order="21" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMemberMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxStateAndLocalJurisdictionMemberMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxStateAndLocalJurisdictionMemberMember" order="22" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapEffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapEffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_DescriptionOfIncomeTaxes" xlink:label="loc_tenxDescriptionOfIncomeTaxes" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxDescriptionOfIncomeTaxes" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_DecreaseInValuationAllowance" xlink:label="loc_tenxDecreaseInValuationAllowance" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxDecreaseInValuationAllowance" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapOperatingIncomeLoss" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapOperatingIncomeLoss" order="4" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingGainsLosses" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapNonoperatingGainsLosses" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapNonoperatingGainsLosses" order="5" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_RemainingOperatingLossesCarryforward" xlink:label="loc_tenxRemainingOperatingLossesCarryforward" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxRemainingOperatingLossesCarryforward" order="6" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://tenx.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="000048 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details Narrative)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" order="2000" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSubsequentEventTypeAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSubsequentEventTypeAxis" order="20" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSubsequentEventTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapSubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSubsequentEventTypeDomain" order="30" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSubsequentEventTypeDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapSubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSubsequentEventTypeDomain_10" order="40" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionAxis" order="40" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionDomain" order="50" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionDomain_10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionDomain_10" order="60" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSubsequentEventMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapSubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSubsequentEventMember" order="41" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_RothCapitalPartnersLlcMember" xlink:label="loc_tenxRothCapitalPartnersLlcMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapRelatedPartyTransactionDomain" xlink:to="loc_tenxRothCapitalPartnersLlcMember" order="42" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityOther" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityOther" order="1" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_MinimumRequirementOfNasdaqCapitalMarket" xlink:label="loc_tenxMinimumRequirementOfNasdaqCapitalMarket" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxMinimumRequirementOfNasdaqCapitalMarket" order="2" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapProceedsFromIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapProceedsFromIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" order="3" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsAndCash" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapInvestmentsAndCash" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapInvestmentsAndCash" order="4" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_CommonStockMinimumClosingPricePerShare" xlink:label="loc_tenxCommonStockMinimumClosingPricePerShare" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxCommonStockMinimumClosingPricePerShare" order="5" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalLeasesIndemnificationAgreementsPayments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCapitalLeasesIndemnificationAgreementsPayments" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCapitalLeasesIndemnificationAgreementsPayments" order="6" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseExpirationDate1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLeaseExpirationDate1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLeaseExpirationDate1" order="7" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByEachWarrantOrRight" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByEachWarrantOrRight" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByEachWarrantOrRight" order="8" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_SaleOfCommonStockShares" xlink:label="loc_tenxSaleOfCommonStockShares" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxSaleOfCommonStockShares" order="9" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSaleOfStockPricePerShare" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSaleOfStockPricePerShare" order="10" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_IssuanceOfPreFundWarrant" xlink:label="loc_tenxIssuanceOfPreFundWarrant" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxIssuanceOfPreFundWarrant" order="11" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" order="12" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_CommonWarrantPreFundedWarrantPerSharePrice" xlink:label="loc_tenxCommonWarrantPreFundedWarrantPerSharePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxCommonWarrantPreFundedWarrantPerSharePrice" order="13" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfWarrants" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapProceedsFromIssuanceOfWarrants" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapProceedsFromIssuanceOfWarrants" order="14" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tenx-20221231.xsd#tenx_EstimatedNetProceedsFromPublicOfferingAfterDeductionOfPlacementAgentFeesAndEstimatedOfferingExpensesPayable" xlink:label="loc_tenxEstimatedNetProceedsFromPublicOfferingAfterDeductionOfPlacementAgentFeesAndEstimatedOfferingExpensesPayable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tenxEstimatedNetProceedsFromPublicOfferingAfterDeductionOfPlacementAgentFeesAndEstimatedOfferingExpensesPayable" order="15" />
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
