Mechanics Of Mammalian Locomotion Flashcards
What is adduction?
TOWARD median plane
Add to the body
What is abduction
AWAY from the median plane
Abducting the limb
What is circumduction
Conical movement (combo of all other movements)
What is inward rotation
Relative to long axis
What is outward rotation
Relative to long axis
What is flexion
Movement that REDUCES the angle between bones
What is extension
Movements that INCREASES angle between bones
What is pronation
Rotates forepaw caudally
“Pro” things on floor
What is supination
Rotates forepaw cranially
“Soup”ination
Why extend distal limb elements out of proportion to proximal
Limb mass concentrated close to the trunk
Moving distal elements, which have lower mass, requires less muscle force
Muscle further from body requires greater torque to move limbs
How does the size of the animal relate to metabolic rate
Is INVERSELY related
What are some clinical implications to leg size?
Distal limbs have greater # of tendons
Describe what happens in posture and balance
Standing comes with an energetic cost so limb and back extensors contract to maintain a standing quadrupedal posture
Muscle contractions are coordinated by the CNS to maintain posture and balance
How does body size affect stride mechanics?
Smaller animals can increase stride length with vertebral column flexion/extension whereas larger animals can’t
Vertebral column stability is more vital at larger sizes
