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The kinematic anatomy of skeletal muscle fibres 1: Basic principles and swing muscles

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Summary

MYONEMES (muscle fibres) are classed as holomyonemes or tendomyonemes, the latter having tendon at one or both ends. Four quantitative factors are defined: the partition ration (p) of a myoneme, the proportion (t) of tendon in it, the contractility ratio (a) of its fleshy part and the angle (A) through which a bone is swung around an articular axis when the myoneme is fully contracted. Equations connecting these quantities are derived. It is shown that there is a lower limit to A for holomyonemes; and that the range of p for this type of fibre is limited. Tendon is needed if A is to be less than its holomyonemic limit and also if the range of p is increased. The pennate arrangement of myonemes is particularly suitable for small movements, this being its primary function. Some observational results are given.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, University College, Cork

    M. A. MacConaill

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  1. M. A. MacConaill
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MacConaill, M.A. The kinematic anatomy of skeletal muscle fibres 1: Basic principles and swing muscles. Ir J Med Sci 140, 387–402 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02940468

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02940468

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