A Practical Physiology: A Text-Book for Higher SchoolsBlaisdell, Albert F. (Albert Franklin)
Science
A Practical Physiology: A Text-Book for Higher Schools
Blaisdell, Albert F. (Albert Franklin)
Human physiology; Physiology
64. Motion in Animals. All motion of our bodies is produced by means of
muscles. Not only the limbs are moved by them, but even the movements
of the stomach and of the heart are controlled by muscles. Every part
of the body which is capable of motion has its own special set of
muscles.
Even when the higher animals are at rest it is possible to observe some
kind of motion in them. Trees and stones never move unless acted upon
by external force, while the infant and the tiniest insect can execute
a great variety of movements. Even in the deepest sleep the beating of
the heart and the motion of the chest never cease. In fact, the power
to execute spontaneous movement is the most characteristic property of
living animals.
65. Kinds of Muscles. Most of the bodily movements, such as affect the
limbs and the body as a whole, are performed by muscles under our
control. These muscles make up the red flesh or lean parts, which,
together with the fat, clothe the bony framework, and give to it
general form and proportion. We call these muscular tissues voluntary
muscles, because they usually act under the control of the will.
The internal organs, as those of digestion, secretion, circulation, and
respiration, perform their functions by means of muscular activity of
another kind, that is, by that of muscles not under our control. This
work goes on quite independently of the will, and during sleep. We call
the instruments of this activity involuntary muscles. The voluntary
muscles, from peculiarities revealed by the microscope, are also known
as striped or striated muscles. The involuntary from their smooth,
regular appearance under the microscope are called the unstriped or
non-striated muscles.
The two kinds of muscles, then, are the red, voluntary, striated
muscles, and the smooth, involuntary, non-striated muscles.
66. Structure of Voluntary Muscles. The main substance which clothes
the bony framework of the body, and which forms about two-fifths of its
weight, is the voluntary muscular tissue. These muscles do not cover
and surround the bones in continuous sheets, but consist of separate
bundles of flesh, varying in size and length, many of which are capable
of independent movement.
Each muscle has its own set of blood-vessels, lymphatics, and nerves.
It is the blood that gives the red color to the flesh. Blood-vessels
and nerves on their way to other parts of the body, do not pass through
the muscles, but between them. Each muscle is enveloped in its own
sheath of connective tissue, known as the fascia. Muscles are not
usually connected directly with bones, but by means of white,
glistening cords called tendons.
Illustration: Fig. 30.—Striated (voluntary) Muscular Fibers.
A, fiber serparating into disks;
B, fibrillæ (highly magnified);
C, cross section of a disk
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