Chicken and rice take-out: which muscles are involved in simple actions?

Question 1 

Once the doorbell rings, senses sends a signal to the brain which is in charge o the nervous system. To stand up, a signal is directed to the limbs from the brain moving down the upper body through the vertebral column via the spinal cord. For this to happen, the cerebellum sends motor input to the motor fibers and to the cerebral cortex ( Ebashi & Ohtsuki, 2007).  The cerebellum manages the muscle synchronization while ensuring balance and equilibrium is maintained. At this point the conscious and subconscious work hand-in-hand. While standing up the body and head usually swing forward with the help of Atlanto-occipital joint and intervertebral joints. A firm grasp on the ground is achieved with the help of the joints between metatarsals and the phalanges known as the Tarsometatarsal joints and intertarsal joints. Other joint helpful in standing are the knee joints and ligaments and the hip joints ( Ebashi & Ohtsuki, 2007).  

Question 2 

Turning the body around 180 degrees engages all body muscles from the head to the toes. In the head, Scalenes, Splenius cervicis, Splenius capitis and Semispinalis capitis muscles play a significant role during the rotation ( Ebashi & Ohtsuki, 2007).  Accessory nerves are essential when turning the head. The vertebral column is turned by external and internal obliques which in turn rotates the body. The muscles are Illiocostalis services, Semispenalis cervicis, Semispenalis thoracis and Multifidus and is triggered by Iliohypogastric and Ilioinguinal nerves ( Ebashi & Ohtsuki, 2007).  The rotation of the lower limbs is made possible by Iliacus and Psoasa major and Gluteus, Semitendinosus and the Sartorius. 

Question 3 

Jumping and moving forward, the heel of the foremost leg grasped the ground, the next limb swings passing the upper body and slowed down touching the ground. During this locomotion, the knee joint loosened by the Qaudriceps Femoris while hip join is loosened by Gluteus Maximus, Gluteus Medius, and Gluteus Minimus ( Ebashi & Ohtsuki, 2007).  

Question 4 

To reach forward and grasp the doorknob is made possible by the proprioceptors on the joint and muscles that help understand the position of the arm ( Dlamini, 2015). The ocularmotive nerves direct the eyes to the doorknob; the retina receives its images and transfers to the brain/cerebellum. The motion is triggered through the spinal cord to the arm and limbs. Locomotion starts with the rise and alternation of the glenohumeral joint ( Ebashi & Ohtsuki, 2007).  The turning is made possible by biceps tendon and rotator cuff muscles, the supraspinatus, teres minor, and infraspinatus. 

Question 5 

To turn the door knob at 180 degrees clockwise is referred to supination. This is made possible by the radioulnar joint as helps in pronation and supination. The major muscles involved include Supinator and Bicep brachii and is triggered by posterior interosseous nerve and Musculocutaneous nerve respectively ( Ebashi & Ohtsuki, 2007). These nerves originate from C5 and C6. 

Question 6 

While sitting down, the muscles act against different forces and Matt’s body weight is transferred to the floor through his limbs and backrest. Seating in the anterior position, the key muscle here are hamstrings controlling posture. The hamstring is linked to the bottom of the pelvis to the upper tibia and is flexed when the knees bend ( Dlamini, 2015).  With the help of tendons linked to diverse parts of the knees joint, it facilitates movement. Gluteus Maximus, one of the largest back muscle assist stability when lowering the body ( Dlamini, 2015).  

Question 7 

The major muscles involved here are palmar interosseous, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, extensor digitorum, opponens pollicis and adductor pollicis. The movement is made possible by Metacarpophalangeal joint both 1 st Carpometacarpal and 1 st Digit interphalangeal joints. The next key joints are proximal interphalangeal joints and distal interphalangeal joints ( Dlamini, 2015).  

Question 8 

To raise the chicken and rice into the mouth involves arm and shoulder movement aided by various muscles. The bending of the arm at the elbow is known as Elbow Flexion ( Dlamini, 2015).  This is aided by anterior muscles namely biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis. The three muscles play a significant role in bending of muscles since they contract together to bend and extend the elbow making Matt lift food the plate ( Dlamini, 2015).  

Question 9 

The biting and chewing are made possible by the left and right masseter muscles. These muscles play a significant role in raising the jaws during biting and chewing. The next muscles are temporalis and medial pterygoid muscles, powerful muscles that help forward and backward movement of the jaw ( Matsuo & Palmer, 2008). Lastly is lateral pterygoid muscle, the only muscle that helps in closing and opening the jaws, and plays an important role in biting ( Matsuo & Palmer, 2008). The tongue is the strongest muscle I the body and plays a significant role in swallowing of food ( Matsuo & Palmer, 2008). The swallowing is facilitated by the upper esophageal sphincter made up of smooth and skeletal muscles. 

References 

Dlamini T., W., (2015). Movement, Muscles and Joints: A Little Bit about how You can Move. Retrieved on 2 nd March, 2018 from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/movement-muscles-joints-little-bit-how-you-can-move-thando-dlamini 

Ebashi, S., & Ohtsuki, I. (Eds.). (2007).  Regulatory mechanisms of striated muscle contraction  (Vol. 592). Springer Science & Business Media. 

Matsuo, K., & Palmer, J. B. (2008). Anatomy and physiology of feeding and swallowing: normal and abnormal.  Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics ,  19 (4), 691-707.