The Philosophy of Health; Volume 1 (of 2): or, an exposition of the physical and mental constitution of manSmith, Southwood
Philosophy
The Philosophy of Health; Volume 1 (of 2): or, an exposition of the physical and mental constitution of man
Smith, Southwood
Hygiene; Physiology
166. The two extensor muscles are named the triceps and the anconeous
(fig. LXXIX.). The triceps, seated on the back part of the arm, derives
its name from having three distinct points of origin, or three separate
heads (fig. LXXIX. 5); one of which arises from the scapula and two
from the humerus (fig. LXXIX. 5). All these heads adhere firmly to the
humerus, as the brachialis does on the fore part of the arm, down to
within an inch of the joint (fig. LXXIX. 5), where they form a strong
tendon, which is implanted into the olecranon of the ulna (fig. LXXIX.
3); the projection of which affords a lever for increasing the action
of the muscle. In all animals that leap and bound, this process of the
ulna is increased in length in proportion to their power of performing
these movements. The triceps forms an exceedingly thick and strong
muscle, which envelops the whole of the back part of the arm (fig.
LXXIX.); its action is simple and obvious; it powerfully extends the
fore-arm. The anconeous, a small muscle of a triangular form, arising
from the external condyle of the humerus, and inserted into the ulna a
little below the olecranon, assists the action of the triceps.
[Illustration: Fig. LXXIX.
View of the extensor muscles of the fore-arm. 1. The scapula; 2. the
upper part of the humerus; 3. upper end of the ulna; 4. upper end
of the radius; 5. the muscle called _triceps_, the extensor of the
fore-arm.]
167. Such are the motive powers which act upon the fore-arm, and
which produce all the motions of which the hinge-joint of the elbow
renders it capable. But besides flexion and extension, the fore-arm is
capable of the motion of rotation, which is accomplished by means of
the radius. It has been shown (157) that the top of the rounded head of
the radius is excavated into a shallow cup (figs. LXIX. 6, and LXXIII.
4) which receives a corresponding convexity of the humerus (figs.
LXIX. 2, and LXXIII. 2). In consequence of this articulation with the
humerus, the radius, like the ulna, can move backwards and forwards
in flexion and extension, the proper movements of the hinge-joint;
but that portion of the margin of the hinge of the radius which is in
apposition with the ulna is convex (fig. LXIX. 6), and is received into
a semilunar cavity hollowed out in the ulna (fig. LXIX. 5). In this
cavity the rounded head of the radius revolves, the two bones being
held together by the ligament already described (160), which surrounds
the head of the radius (fig. LXXVI. 3), and which holds it firmly
without being adherent to it, and without impeding in any degree the
rotatory motion of the radius. Below, the surface of the radius next
the ulna is hollowed out into a semilunar cavity (fig. LXXXII. 1),
which receives a corresponding convex surface of the ulna (fig. LXXXII.
2), upon which convex surface the radius rolls (fig. LXXXII. 1). Thus,
by the mode in which it is articulated with the ulna above, the radius
turns upon its own axis.
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