Movement

The act of changing position or the fact of not being still.

Muscles, bones, and joints provide the body with a supportive framework that permits flexibility of movement. All movement is carried out by muscles, which are composed of tissues that can contract.

The act of passing from place to place or changing position of the body or its parts.

Any form of movement involving limbs, body regions, soft tissues, or internal organs is referred to as motion. The initiation of all movements is attributed to muscle activity. These movements can be categorized as either voluntary, driven by conscious intent, or involuntary, occurring automatically. Some movements are triggered as reflex responses.

These movements encompass actions of the bones, joints, and skeletal muscles. The majority of these movements are under voluntary control. They are instigated within a segment of the cerebrum known as the motor cortex. Signals travel through nerve fibers down the spinal cord and then proceed along distinct nerve fibers to the relevant muscles. Precise management depends on input from sensory nerve receptors found in muscles and other areas, which monitor the positions of various body parts and the extent of muscle contraction. This data is integrated in specific brain regions (including the cerebellum and basal ganglia) responsible for governing the coordination, initiation, and cessation of movements.

Skeletal movements can additionally manifest as basic reflexes triggered by specific sensory alerts. These movements are automatic and exhibit less regulation, involving fewer nerve connections.