A Practical Physiology eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 498 pages of information about A Practical Physiology.

A Practical Physiology eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 498 pages of information about A Practical Physiology.

/ / 7 Cervical Vertebrae.
/ / 12 Dorsal Vertebrae,
/ I. Spinal Column | 5 Lumbar Vertebrae,
| (26 bones) \ Sacrum,
| \ Coccyx. 
The Trunk |
(54 bones). | / 7 True Ribs,
| II.  The Ribs | 3 False Ribs,
| (24 bones) \ 2 Floating Ribs.
|
\ III.  Sternum.
\ IV.  Two Hip Bones.
\ V. Hyoid Bone.

/ / Scapula,
/ I. Upper Arm | Clavicle,
| \ Humerus.
|
The Upper Limbs | II.  Forearm / Ulna,
(64 bones). | \ Radius.
|
| / 8 Carpal Bones,
\ III.  Hand | 5 Metacarpal Bones,
\ \ 14 Phalanges.

/ I. Thigh Femur.
/
| / Patella,
The Lower Limbs | II.  Lower Leg | Tibia,
(60 bones). | \ Fibula.
|
| / 7 Tarsal Bones,
\ III.  Foot | 5 Metatarsal Bones,
\ \ 14 Phalanges.

Chapter III.

The Muscles.

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.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
A Practical Physiology from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.