Movement

Body movement is something that gets polished as we grow in age. In our childhood, we tend to start with basic movements such as rolling, crawling and eventually walking. But have you actually decoded, how this actually happens? What are all body parts involved? In this article, we will try to learn the exact movement meaning and its various versions experienced in different living creatures.

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Movement Meaning

For any object, a change in the position is termed as a movement. In our human body, it takes place when there is any motion of a particular or a combination of body parts. In addition, we can term locomotion as the movement which results in the change of position of the whole organism.

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• Skeletal System

Different Movements in Human Body

There are a variety of movements which happen in the human body, for example, the movement of eyelids, heart muscles, jaw and teeth. Further, movement of arms and legs, head as well as neck are also counted. Interestingly, movement of some organs occurs because of the collaboration of muscles and bones. In these cases, it happens along a point at which two or more bones encounter.

Joints

For any organism including humans, the point of meeting for two or more bones is called as a joint. For example, ligaments connect a bone to another bone; whereas, tendons hold a bone to a muscle. Here are the types of joints:

• Fixed Joints: These are the joints along which no bone movement are possible. For example, joints present in the skull bone or cranium are known as immovable joints or linkages.
• Moveable Joints: The two versions of movable joints are freely movable joints and partially movable joints. Further, there are in total four types of movable joints present in our body.
• Pivot Joint: These joint types allow movement across different planes, that is, up and down, as well as side-to-side actions. You can check that, the joint between your skull and the vertebral column is a pivot joint.
• Ball and Socket Joint: These joints have a rounded end so that one bone can fit into the hollow space of another bone. Such joints allow movement in all directions. For example, the joint between the upper arm and shoulder is an active example of ball and socket joint. Moreover, the joint falling between hip and thigh is also a suitable example.
• Hinge Joint: Such joints are similar to the hinges present in a door. Hence, these joints permit movement only across a single plane. The elbow joint and knee joint are good examples of a hinge joint.
• Gliding Joint: Considering these joints, the movement happens as a result of sliding of bones on one another. In our body, the joints lying between the rings of the backbone can be seen as a perfect example of gliding joint.

Movement in Other Organisms

Earthworm

The body of an earthworm is made of many rings which are connected end to end. There aren’t any bones in the body. Moreover, the muscles are the prime reason that causes outspread and shortens actions.

Moreover, the earthworm’s body discharges a slimy substance which helps in movement. Furthermore, it holds a large number of tiny bristles that project outwards. Each of these bristles is connected to the muscles for helping in managing a good grip on the ground.

Snail

Snails carry a rounded structure over its back. The shell, as well as the outer skeleton of a snail, aren’t made of bones. It can be counted as a single unit and have no part in the overall movement of the body. Snails access movement with the help of a muscular foot.

Birds

For a bird, the presence of light bones and strong muscles work together in order to develop movements that lead to flying action. A bird flies by flapping its wings.

Fish

It should be noted that the tail and head of a fish is usually smaller as compared to the middle portion. Such a body shape is termed as streamlined. Therefore, the shape allows the water to flow around easily and permit the fish to gain motion in the water.

Question for You

Q1. How does a snake move?

Ans: Snakes hold four different ways of movement.  We know they don’t have legs, hence they utilize their muscles as well as scales for motion. The four movements are termed as: sidewinding, rectilinear method, concertina method, and serpentine method.

Q2. Fill in the blanks

1. Joints of the bones help in the ______ of the body.
2. A combination of bones and cartilage forms the ______ of the body.
3. Bones at the elbow are joint by the ______ joint.
4. The contraction of the _____ pulls the bones during movement.

Ans:

1. Joints of the bones help in the movement of the body.
2. A combination of bones and cartilage forms the skeleton of the body.
3. Bones at the elbow are joint by the hinge joint.
4. The contraction of the muscle pulls the bones during movement.