The locomotor system is formed by bones, joints and skeletal muscle groups and represents the integration between the Skeletal System and the Muscular System.
The locomotor system liable for supporting, locomoting and shifting the body.
What is the locomotor system?
The locomotor system or musculoskeletal system is the complicated network of tissue of different nature that allows the human body to face and carry out numerous movements, from simply walking to probably the most exact and delicate hand gestures.
The musculoskeletal system is made up of a number of completely different groups, that are the osteoarticular system (composed of bones, joints and ligaments) and the muscular system (muscle groups and tendons). Collectively they supply help to the body, maintain it in form and allow it to carry out coordinated movements, because of the coordination exerted by the nervous system (composed of nerves, the backbone and the brain).
Of those two essential systems, the bone and the muscle, the first is considered passive and the second active, because the latter is the one which begins the movement, via the compression and stretching of the muscle fibbers, as soon as the nervous stimulus from the brain reaches them.
An important level on this apparatus are the joints, that are the point of contact between two bones within the body, which might allow a certain type of movement and are categorized accordingly as: synarthrosis (with out movement), symphysis (with a monoaxial movement, that’s, on the identical axis) or diaresis (with complex movements). The bones occupy a hard and fast place within the joints, because of the ligaments that maintain them in place.
Equally, tendons are the tissue that connects muscle groups to bones, made of a particularly resistant materials, which allows the elastic movement of muscle fibbers with out detaching them from their compulsory place within the skeleton.
What is the purpose of the locomotor system?
The musculoskeletal system not only allows for the large and diverse range of movements that our human body is able to, however it additionally retains the body upright, in its actual position, which is extraordinarily vital for the well being of the internal organs. With out the musculoskeletal system we’d be condemned to inactivity, like plants, since we’d not be capable to move physically at will.
Let’s study in regards to the two methods that make up the Locomotor System:
Skeletal System
The skeletal systems perform is to assist the body, protect inner organs, store minerals and ions, and produce blood cells.
Skeleton
The skeleton is made up of a number of bones and related buildings, similar to cartilage, tendons and ligaments.
The skull is essentially the most advanced structure of the skeleton.
The backbone gives support for the body. It’s formed by the vertebrae, which alternate with intervertebral discs.
The skeleton is divided into two big sets of bones:
- Axial Skeleton : made up of the bones of the head and spinal column;
- Appendicular Skeleton : made up of the bones of the legs and arms.
Need to know more in regards to the skeleton and bones? Learn Additionally Skeletal System .
Bones can be joined to one another via joints.
Joints consist of the area of contact between two distinct bones, mediated by several types of connective tissue.
They are often of the following types: Real Estate, Semi-Real Estate or Furniture.
In a cell joint, the bones are held in place by ligaments , robust cords made from fibrous connective tissue.
Study more about:
- Joints of the Human Body
- Shoulder joints
Muscular System
The muscular system is represented by muscle groups.
The muscular system is liable for body stability, production of actions, upkeep of body temperature and help of the body.
Muscles and Muscle Contraction
Muscle mass are made up of muscle tissue, whose cells have the ability to contract.
One of many main properties of muscle groups is their potential to contract. That is what makes movement possible.
Muscle contraction will be isotonic or isometric. Isotonic contraction happens when the muscle shortens throughout contraction. If no shortening happens, the contraction is isometric.
Study more about muscle contraction .
Types of Muscles
Muscle mass will be of three types: skeletal striated , cardiac striated and smooth .
Skeletal striated muscle makes up a big a part of the muscle mass within the human body.
Their ends are often sharp and terminate in fibrous cords of dense, shaped connective tissue, the tendons .
This muscle has voluntary and vigorous contraction.
The striated cardiac muscle is the muscle of the heart. It has involuntary and rhythmic contractions.
Smooth muscle is present in visceral organs, such because the abdomen, intestine, bladder, uterus, amongst others. It has involuntary and gradual contraction.
Need to know in regards to the action and forms of muscle groups? Learn additionally Muscular System and Muscle Tissue.
How to take care of the musculoskeletal system?
Caring for the musculoskeletal system includes the following suggestions:
- Warm up earlier than participating in bodily exercise or exercise.
- Keep a weight loss plan rich in potassium, calcium and iron (though with out excesses which are dangerous to kidney function).
- Keep away from conditions of extreme joint put on (particularly in jobs resembling writing, pianist, knitting, and different manual trades) or take precautions to reduce injury.
- Keep away from being overweight.
- Carry out physical activities frequently (energetic way of life).
- Use correct postures when performing long-term activities (together with sleeping), utilizing ergonomic supplies and being aware of your posture.
Illnesses of the musculoskeletal system
There are illnesses particular to the musculoskeletal system, a few of that are brought on roughly naturally and by put on and tear, and others brought on by brokers exterior to the physique. Amongst them, the next stand out:
- Osteoarthritis. A continual and degenerative illness, typically of autoimmune origin, during which the joints between the bones lose the elastic tissue that permits their mobility: cartilage, and due to this fact develop into more and more inflexible.
- Arthritis. Arthritis is a everlasting or momentary irritation of the joint tissue, inflicting swelling, ache, stiffness and problem shifting the limbs. Over time, it may even trigger twisting of the joints and deformity of the extremities.
- Osteoporosis. It is a continual lack of calcium within the bones, which demineralizes them and makes them extra fragile over time. This causes the bones to develop into thinner and weaker, making them porous (therefore the title) and shedding mass.
- Parkinson’s illness. Parkinson’s illness is definitely an illness of the central nervous system (mind), which impacts the best way nerve impulses are transmitted all through the physique. Nevertheless, widespread signs manifest within the musculoskeletal system, via stiffness, tremors or involuntary actions.
- St. Vitus’ illness, also referred to as Huntington’s illness or Huntington’s chorea, is a degenerative neurological illness that’s normally hereditary, though extraordinarily uncommon. It was found in 1872 and its signs embody involuntary actions, spasms and grimaces, and it’s brought on by a mutation in a gene on chromosome 4.
