Prehension Powers All Motion

 The body utilizes 600 + muscles to move 206 bones in 3 anatomical planes of motion.

The musculoskeletal system is built the same in every healthy human.  We all have unique muscle sizes and bone lengths but the mechanics of movement are the same for everyone.

Our central nervous system communicates with our peripheral nervous system via electric signals sent to and from the brain via our spinal cord.  These signals innervate the muscles in our body to direct movement.

There are proprioception receptors in our muscles that communicate information to the cerrebellum in our brain.  The brain processes this information before it sends action potentials directed by the motor cortex. 

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves that branch out to create several hundred other nerves. There are 3 nerves in our hands that control everything.  The median nerve, ulnar nerve, and the radial nerve work together to power 34 muscles in each hand.  The median and ulnar nerves control muscles on the anterior and posterior side of the hands and forearms while the radial nerve controls muscles on the posterior side.

There is a common flexor tendon and common extensor tendon on each side of the humerus. Each tendon connects with 5 different muscles to produce flexion and extension movements at our elbow joints.  The muscles contracted in our hands determine which muscles our body will use.  

There are 5 possible grasp combinations created by the 34 muscles in our hands; Lateral Prehension, Palmar Prehension 1, Palmar Prehension 2, Palmar Prehension 3, and Inferior Palmar Prehension.

The entire musculoskeletal system interacts differently relative to each prehension.