Question

Explain why Flexor Muscle and Abductor Muscle force at hip joint is biomechanically important for walking. Use Mathematical equations and figure illustrations to support your answer

Answer 1

Introduction

Muscle cells are contractile cells, alda called fibres.

Three types :

Smooth

Cardiac

Skeletal

each differing in structure, location & physiological function

SKELETAL MUSCLES

Hip muscles is coming under this category

It is also called '''voluntary muscle", because there is conscious cintrco over it.

These are attached to bones via TENDONS, & use to move the skeleton, which facilitates smooth walking.

This consist of large number of MUSCLE FIBRES

Entire muscle is covered with EPIMYSUM

Within the muscle, cells are collected into separate bundles called FASCICLES, each of them is covered with PERIMYSIUM

Individual muscle cells inside the fascicle is wrapped in ENDOMYSIUM

It runs the length of the muscle. They bind the fibres into a highly organised structure, & blend together at each end of the muscle to form the TENDON, which secure the muscle ( flexor & abductor ) to the bone / joints. The multiple connective tissue layers through out the muscle are important for transmitting the force of contraction from each individual muscle cell to its points of attachment to the skeleton.

Muscle of the HIP ( Biomechanically important for walking )

The biggest muscles of the body are found here. Since their function is largely in WEIGHT BEARING. The lower part of the body are designed to transmit the force of body weight in;

Walking

Running. etc evenly throughout weight bearing structures & a shock absorber.

Helping Muscles are,;

1. PSOAS

It passes across ilium, together with iliacus it flexes the hip joint

2. ILICUS

Lies in the iliac fossa, orginates from the iliac crest. The combined action of the iliacus & psoas flexes the hip joint

3. Quadriceps Femoris

Group of four muscle inside of the thighs. They are :

a. Rectus Femoris.  

b. Vasti ( Lateralis, Medialis, Intermedius )

Only rectus femoris flexes the hip joint, the remaining act as Very strong extensor of knee joint

4 OBTURATORS

Deep muscles of buttock Helps in lateral rotation of hip joint

5. GLUTEAL

Consist of ;

Gluteus maximus

Gluteus medius

Gluteus minimus

They cause extension, abduction & medial rotation at the hip joint.

5. SARTORIOUS

Longest muscle crossess hip knee joint

Associated with flexion & abduction at the hip joint & flrxiof at the knee

ACTION

Inorder to move a body part, the muscle or its tendon must stretch across atleast one joint.

When it contracts, the muscle then pulls one bone towards another.