The Muscular System

The muscle system is responsible for the locomotion of the human body. That is not its only function. It can also aid the body's flexibility. The muscular system contains three different types of muscle. The tissues contract to produce movement of the body. There is a total of 650 skeletal muscles of the human body and most have an identical twin on the opposite side of the body. Many muscles can be deep inside the body or part of a superficial layer. Muscles can compose up to 50% of body mass depending on fitness level. The muscle system truly demonstrates that the body is a living machine. It has components and runs on a particular type of energy.

       The skeletal ( sometimes referred to as voluntary) muscle  are the ones that respond to control and command from the brain. This means the muscle has the ability to contract or lengthen. This is done by chemical messengers that are produced by the brain. Skeletal muscles are attached to bones by a network of tendons. When viewed under a microscope they have a stripped appearance. The term used to describe this appearance is striated. This tissue contains numerous cell nuclei and be found around the periphery of the cell.

This is the basic structure of skeletal muscle.

The tendons act like an anchor for the muscle tissue. Without the critical role of the tendon nothing would keep the skeletal muscle in place. 

    Another type of muscle is known as involuntary muscle (also referred to as visceral or smooth muscle). These muscles will perform actions without conscious control. Theses muscles are in certain locations of the human body. They are found in the intestines, stomach, the walls of arteries and even the veins. The muscle itself is shaped like spindles. Structurally, they narrow at both ends and have one nucleus in the cell center. The reason these muscle have an involuntary function is due to the functions of particular organ systems. Arteries require dilating and constricting action to keep the circulatory system running. The brain making conscious decisions to pump blood would be inefficient. There is an element of  partial control of certain functions, but the involuntary muscles help share the work load.

     The third major muscle classification is cardiac muscle. This muscle can be both striated and smooth. The main function is to make the heart beat in an involuntary manner. The fibers are branched out. This allows for the transmission of  electric messages. These messages give instructions for the muscles to produce heart beats.

This is a summery of  muscle cell types. 

The muscle cells have different roles to play, but have one goal. That is the movement of the human body. 

     There are numerous muscles that are on the chest, arms, legs, back, and thorax of the human body . Muscles do not work in an isolated manner, but in pairs. Muscles during contraction can pull. This means the muscle of  joint will move in one direction and another muscle will move in an alternate direction. This concept of muscular contraction can be seen when a person is lifting a weight. The muscles of the arm will work in pairs. Muscle cells have the ability to release heat and energy by means of burning glucose and fatty acid. The energy will be used to produce movement of actin and myosin filaments. It requires assistance from the nervous system and the motor impulse ( from a motor nerve) will induce the release of calcium. Calcium will fill the muscles allowing for myofibril contraction . Actin and myosin slide past one another, which shortens the muscle cell. When they slide apart again, muscle will go into relaxation.

     

The Basic Structure of the Muscular System.

During movement the muscles can switch between contraction and relaxation. Calcium is not only important for bones, but the function of the muscles. Both men and women have the same muscles. Men on average have more total muscle mass due to factors in endocrinology. Males produce more testosterone, which allows for a more powerful bone structure and higher level of muscle mass. Women's higher estrogen levels allow for their muscles to be more fatigue resistant. The difference in strength is not solely testosterone levels, but the amount of fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fiber. Fast twitch muscle fiber generates more explosive power, while slow twitch muscle fiber has more endurance. 

There is no difference in male and female muscle at the cellular level. There is a difference in the distribution of type I and and type II muscle fibers. 

Muscular size can be increased through exercise. This can work for both men and women, but males would attain higher levels of muscular hypertrophy. How this works is that micro trauma causes tears in the muscle tissue. The tissue will reform much thicker to prevent injury. Like other organ systems, the muscular system has methods of repair and function.  

     The muscle cell itself is a fascinating unit. The myofibre rises out of many muscle cells. Many nuclei are outside and a protective sheath covers the tissue. The sheath contains the ability to insulate myofibre, which allows for selective muscle contraction. The strength and extent of the muscle contraction can be controlled by electric impulse. Connective tissue sheaths will merge to form tendons. One myofibre can contain a multitude of myofibrils. Myofibrils are contractile proteins that are cylinder shaped and act like pistons in an engine. The myofilaments are critical proteins which collaborate with myosin and actin. Myofilaments can be thick or thin and overlap one another. They are striated in appearance. Proteins are essential to the muscles and other organ system of the body. 

Muscles of the face.

   

      Most of the body's muscles are skeletal muscles. This means it has further classifications for anatomical study. The skeletal muscles can be classified according to shape. They can be divided into three major zones. The first is the middle belly, followed by a sinewy origin. This will connect to a bone at another end.  This could also connect to a ligament or another structure. 

The list of both superficial and deep muscles.

The abdominal wall consists of aponeusis and the linea alba.  This large part of connective tissue The aponeusis  is similar to a tendon. Both the aponeusis and linea alba merge together to form one structure. Muscle is in a sense an organic armor. The topmost layer consists of the external oblique muscle. The fibers continue downwards and forwards starting from the edges of the fifth to twelfth ribs. The fibers will reach the iliac crest and linea alba.  This muscle is responsible for muscle contraction of the rib cage downward. There is a middle layer, which is part of the thorax of the body. The internal oblique is present in this section, which has fibers run to the iliac crest to the inguinal ligament reaching the linea alba. The muscular contraction in this area allows the ribcage to rotate ( pulls it down to the hip and lower back). When a person breaths this allows the ribcage  to go down.

Muscles that are found in the legs.

The lowest layer contains the transverse abdominal. The fibers of this muscle run horizontally across the abdomen. They start at the inguinal ligament to the iliac crest, to the six coastal cartilages and secure themselves in the midline linea alba. The most important task of this muscle section is to stabilize the thorax and  including the pelvic as well as abdominal organs. There also is the function of compressing intestinal organs.  

The muscles that reside in the arm.

The skeletal muscles have unique classifications. Flat muscles are ones that form large sheets or covering like structures. Fusiform muscles tend to have fibers which will run parallel to one another. They will merge to form a tendon and have the ability to contract over long distances. The pennate muscles are stronger, due to denser fibers. They are shaped like feathers and can be found in the legs , shins, and shoulders. The two headed parallel muscle can be attached to different places allowing for stability. Orbicular muscles act as sphincters opening and closing certain areas. Triangular muscles also act as stabilizers, but also contribute to adding to the maximum force of contraction. Straight muscles also contribute to stabilization of the muscular system.  Three headed parallel muscles attach from different sides acting as a connector to other units. The two bellied parallel muscle has two muscular sections divided by a sinew section. The quadrate muscle is a flat for sided shape that acts a a covering. The muscular system is a web of tissues, structures interlocking, with tendons, and ligaments working together to produce movement.    

References 

Brewer, Sarah. The Human Body A Visual Guide To Anatomy. London: Quercus, 2012 

Svarney-Barnes, Patricia. Science Reference Desk. New York: Macmillan, 1995. 

Arellano Doctor, Vanessa. "Is There a Difference Between Female and Male Muscles?" LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 12 Sept. 2015. Web. 27 Sept. 2015. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/355987-female-male-muscles/>.

     

The Pope's Visit To The US

The Pope is coming to the US. This is not for good will. As the Catholic Church struggles to stay relevant in a modern world, now Pope Francis is attempting to change this. He says that he is concerned with major social issues such as poverty, criminal justice reform, and  the environment. Observers should note that this is an attempt to attract younger followers. The Catholic Church still opposes abortion, will not let women be priests, and condemn homosexuality as a sin. The sexual abuse of children still continues at the highest levels. What Pope Francis is promoting is a public relations re- imaging. Presenting a "new" and "reformed" Church is a way to keep it relevant in a society that is becoming more secular. President Obama is even using the Pope, to boost his declining pole numbers . Having waged a war in Libya, Syria, and Northern Iraq he has lost ethical authority. Pope Francis' visit at least in public relations terms, can restore some of it. However, the public should not be trusting. Pope Francis is part of the establishment and his message of social justice is an illusion.  

Cesar Chavez on Social Change

The European Refugee Crisis

The Western  media has described the mass exodus of African, Asian, and Arab  people as a migration crisis. This is not an accurate description. While it is true there is an act of movement, there is a specific reason for mass travel. These Arab, African, and Asian people are refugees. The majority are by definition. There has been for some years economic migrants making their way to Europe. Libya under Qaddafi was controlling the flow of migrants. Their purpose was not asylum, but to find work outside the impoverished countries from which they came. This mass wave are people feeling war, terrorism, and the results of NATO intervention. The term refugee can be defined as " a person forced to leave their country due to war, persecution, or natural disaster." The major reason for this evacuation was because of ISIS, the Syrian Civil War, Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, and the aftershocks of western interference. This is major blowback from military operations in the Middle East and North Africa. Europe has to deal with thousands of people, causing division in the continent. The refugee crisis will grow as long as the West seeks military intervention. 

          ISIS has conquered large amounts of territory in both Syria and Iraq. This Sunni Muslim terrorist organization was formed out of fighters attempting to depose Bashir Al-Assad. It has been speculated that their early successes were due to former Baathists. Ostensibly, many Saddam Hussein era officials were collaborating with this group. Izzat Ibrahim Al-Douri a general and pivotal former regime member was believed to be fighting alongside ISIS. At there height ISIS carved an immense amount of territory and was ready to march to Baghdad. During this campaign ISIS engaged in ethnic cleansing and brutal repression. Kurds and Yazidis were victims to murder and forced removal. Yazidis were trapped on Sinjar Mountain by ISIS until a rescue could be mounted. So far, it has mostly been the Peshmerga and the Iraqi Army attempted to stop the spread of ISIS. The Iraqi Army was too weak to stop the group. It was weakened further by not collaborating fully with the Peshmerga. Iraq was becoming a worse war zone than during the US occupation. Iraqis were fleeing  to Jordan and other Gulf states. 

Iraq was no longer a safe place to stay. The United States responded by conducting airstrikes in Iraq and northern Syria. This did not produce an ISIS defeat. President Obama realized that sending ground troops would exacerbate the situation. Instead the method was to get the Peshmerga more involved and provide military advisers to the Iraqi Army. There seems to be a stalemate and it appears that ISIS will be a part of the Middle East for a longtime. The US airstrikes only add to civilian death. Iraqis find themselves in a precarious entrapment. They are either under siege from ISIS or US attacks from above. These were major push factors in the mass migrations.

It appears that ISIS loses some territory, but then reemerges in sanctuaries in the north of Iraq. The Gulf monarchies have now banned together to fight what it refers to as Daesh. It is a general term for terrorist groups that appears in Saudi, Kuwati, Qatari, and Emirati newspapers. This has induced a new wave of political repression and violence. This new Gulf coalition has escalated war to the point it is causing mass displacement of populations. Iraq could eventually collapse into three different countries. This would only encourage more people to leave. 

        The Syrian Civil War has been waged for five years. There is no end in sight. The only way this war could end is through a diplomatic solution or defeat of one of the belligerents. The West wants a military solution with Bashir Al-Assad removed. Russia wants to see a diplomatic solution, but realizes the West will attempt regime change. It was not a secret that Russia was giving military assistance to Syria. This is one of Russia's most important allies in the region. The fall of Bashir Al-Assad would give the US an opportunity to establish a puppet state. The arming of rebel factions such as the Free Syria Army has also induced populations to desert their land. Homs and Aleppo have been areas of intense combat. The destabilization has caused the growth of other terrorist organizations such as the Al-Nousra Front. Turkey allowed Syrians to enter into its territory during the worst fighting. Taking these refugees  was not an act of altruism. This was a way for Turkey to gain more influence in the Middle East. It is an overall policy of New Ottomanism. This foreign policy stratagem is designed to increase Turkey's power, while making Arab states more compliant. The US and Russia are a hindrance to this goal. There is a level of contention with Turkey even though it is a NATO ally. The United States was making claims that Turkey was not doing enough to counter ISIS or Bashir Al-Assad. Turkey became vexed with this accusation considering it was one of  the first nations to accept refugees. When Turkey decided to become engaged, it broke the truce with the PKK. Disorder has allowed Turkey to attack the Kurdish resistance and eliminate it for good. This is done all under the cover of war against ISIS.  

   

Many refugees have little safety in Turkey. Germany due to its stable economy is preferred over other EU countries.  

If the US bombings continue that will create even more refugees. Bashir Al-Assad removal would increase the portion to astronomical levels. Russia and the United States are engaged in geopolitical competition in Syria. Turkey disapproves, because it believes that as a regional power Syria is its sphere of influence.The US will have to adopt a mediation approach like Russia. Military force will only result in an extended conflict and failed state. 

      Another catalyst for refugee exodus is Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen. The Houthi movement not connected to ISIS is being compared in the same manner. The Houthi movement developed in Yemen due to the reaction to government corruption and poverty. There was no legitimate reason for Saudi Arabia to become involved. There were claims of decreasing border security that were not fully verified. Currently, Saudi Arabia has amassed a coalition consisting of The UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain to attack Yemen. An estimated 1,000  coalition troops have been killed. The casualties of the Yemeni population are much higher. Yemen lost much of its stability with the fall of Ali Abdullah  Saleh. He was forced into resignation by the GCC. The agreement was that he could leave the office of president of Yemen and not face criminal prosecution. This was at the height of the Arab Spring and Saleh wanted to avoid a fate similar to that of Hosni Mubarak .The Gulf monarchies were already interfering with the internal affairs of Yemen before the war broke out. It seems that the former president still has a desire to return to politics. It has been alleged that Saleh has been collaborating with the Houthis. The coalition is fixed on inserting a client regime that will serve its interests. Civilian populations were already victim to US drone attacks. Now, Saudi Arabia uses cluster bombs to disperse Houthi positions. This will create another mass of refugees. Syrians went to Jordan and Turkey in large numbers  when the civil war escalated. Lebanon has become host to many Syrian, Iraqi, and Yemeni refugees. The Gulf monarchies are not immune from this mass movement of people.  

Very few Middle Eastern countries can provide resources to refugees. This is why going to Europe seems like a better option.

    

Yemen also has the added burden of Somali refugees. Somalia since 1991 has been a failed state. There is no government or one strong enough to counter Al-Shabab. When Somalis arrive in Yemen they find themselves stuck in limbo. The refugees that do escape Yemen still find themselves in a dangerous predicament. The Middle East has become a massive war zone and traveling through there could mean death. If it is not by people it could be the elements. Refugees travel by boat, on foot, and by train to escape violence. 

        The refugee crisis has roots based in the intervention in Libya. France, the UK, and US sought to overthrow Qaddafi. Under the cover of responsibility to protect these western nations armed Islamist extremists. NATO started a bombing campaign to weaken Libya's ability to stop invasion. Qaddafi's assassination signaled that Libya was headed toward disorder and decline. Ethnic cleansing was occurring and Islamist militias were terrorizing the population. This resulted in a flow of migration that would increase exponentially. This was ignored by the press, because it did not fit into a particular narrative. The myth is that these rebels were freedom fighters and NATO was providing humanitarian assistance. This was chattered by the poor conditions on the Lampedusa Island Refugee Center. Overcrowding, prison like structure, and limited sanitation was the beginning of the refugee crisis. From 2011 to present Libyans, Tunisians, Egyptians, Nigerians, Somalians, Ethiopians, and others have made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.  

      

Refugees are usually treated like criminals.

Italy had to cope with the increase in refugee traffic. Malta was experiencing the same problem. There was a clear unequal amount of labor  that southern Europe and the Balkans were doing, which the western European countries were not. For three years France and the United Kingdom have refused to take refugees. Considering they are responsible for part of  the North African destabilization it demonstrates a malevolent nature. These countries are willing to destroy, but not rebuild. So far, there has been limited financial assistance to Libya . The US has done nothing even though it was one of the powers involved in the NATO intervention. The Obama administration has stated that it willing to take Syrian refugees, but made no mention of  North  or Sub-Saharan Africans. It is certainly known that this would not have happened if NATO did not wage war. 

         The repercussions of military action has caused more division in the Eurozone. There is tension between Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Western Europe . Victor Orban  Prime Minister of Hungary said that the refugee crisis was "a German problem." Countries such as Serbia, Poland, Austria, and Hungary do not approve of mass migration through their borders. As the months progressed many European leaders refused to recognize the refugee crisis. The alternative term for this crisis was called a migration crisis. This is incorrect due to the fact these populations were forced to leave or face death. The UK and US do not seem enthusiastic about taking refugees. France has made little commitment at the moment. Relations will decline between the US and its European allies due to international policies and continued NSA spying. What is also dividing the Eurozone is disagreements over economic policy. Immigration will just cause further problems as Eastern Europe and the Balkans take on most of the burden. Germany will have to figure out how to house, cloth, and assimilate incoming populations. 

        The crisis does not end with refugees reaching Europe. They face the danger of right-wing extremists and xenophobic political parties. As much as European countries attempt to present a humanitarian image to the world, the situation is different. Islamophobia, anti-Arab racism, and anti-African racism are common belief systems held by European populations. While there were a few Germans that welcomed refugees, they are a small minority. Immigrant groups that have come to Germany have either faced violence or some form of discrimination. The Turkish and Vietnamese that reside in Germany have faced racist abuse. Sweden's right-wing has been gaining political support making immigration a major talking point. The struggle is not over after the long journey. Cultural conflict, racism, and challenges finding employment  will be other problems refugees face in Europe. The only way to control and end the crisis is with a change in policy. This means ending NATO interventions. The arming of the Gulf monarchies should cease. Bashir Al-Assad should not be removed, because further destabilization would occur. Only when this happens the flow of refugees will stop.   

    

     

Al Qaeda Doesn't Exist

Al Qaeda as an international terrorist organization does not exist as the West claims. Since the 9/11 attacks there has been no evidence that Osama Bin Laden was responsible for the strike. It is clear that the radical political Islamist movement is a reaction to US imperialism, support for Israel, and autocratic regimes in the Middle East. Former vice president Cheney even stated that "we never made the case that Osama Bin Laden was involved in 9/11. What became Al Qaeda was the remnants of US covert action in Afghanistan. Arming rebel factions known as the mujahideen. The Carter administration began arming extremists in the 1970s. This induced a Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. When the Soviets withdrew, the Islamists began to take over. This culminated in blowback and the subsequent attacks in 2001. 

King Salman's Visit To The United States

King Salman made a visit to the United States to discuss urgent political and military concerns with President Obama. Relations between the two countries have been strained due to the Iran nuclear deal and disagreements over the Syrian Civil War crisis. This was not a simple diplomatic meeting, it was a major turning point. There are disagreements, but in regards to Yemen the US and Saudi Arabia seem to have consensus. This meeting signals several foreign policy actions. First, it appears as if the US will arm Saudi Arabia and the country will see a major build up. The US and Saudi Arabia will eventually coordinate some form of regime change in Syria. The Saudi relationship may become more important than relations with Israel, which is becoming more isolated internationally. The US strategy seems to be building up the Saudi Kingdom as balance to Iran. At some point this could be a practice for a war of proxy against the Islamic Republic. These possibilities and scenarios lead to one conclusion: a mass regional war. It some respects it is already occurring. 

           The major source of contention between bilateral relations is the Syrian Civil War. Saudi Arabia has been extremely active in arming rebels and terrorists seeking Bashir Al-Assad's overthrow. Saudi Arabia's intentions are not about the plight of the Syrian people, but to expand regional power. As a Gulf monarchy, Baathist or Pan-Arabist  regimes were considered natural enemies. Hostility directed at Syria is a way to undermine Iran. Both Syria and Iran are allied with one another. Installing a puppet government would certainly work in the favor of Saudi Arabia. 

Under King Salman military action has escalated 

Just like the US, Saudi Arabia presents its military operations as an act of humanitarianism. The real motive is to stop Arab Spring like regime changes from occurring around its borders. The worst fear is that the Saudi Kingdom would be swept up in rebellion. The monarchy may not have the strength to withstand violent insurrection. This explains intervention in Bahrain. A majority Shia Muslim country that is controlled by an unpopular Sunni Muslim minority was cause for alarm for the kingdom. Saudi Arabia probably wanted the US to send ground troops. The US continues to bomb Northern Syria, claiming it is fighting ISIS. King Salman wants the President to be committed to regime change in Syria. This seems unlikely, after the devastation that happened in Libya. Another presidential administration may be willing to do military strikes, but not this one. The United States still continues to arm rebel factions and terrorists.
            Seeing as the United States is no longer willing to do direct invasions, Saudi Arabia will eventually to armed to the highest extent. Traditionally, it was the UK that would do large arms deals with the Saudi Kingdom. King Salman's visit was not just about gaining what it views as security;it was about getting access to US arms. This was a major topic of discussion. The balance of power has shifted in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia wants that shift to be beneficial to it. Increasing military power is a way for Saudis to preserve their rule and become a regional enforcer. The US empowered Israel to become this during the Cold War. It seems as if Israel will be replaced, in favor of Saudi Arabia. Israel and US relations have been strained ever since Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip. That action complicated diplomatic relations with Arab nations. Saudi Arabia is a major financial contributor to reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. Saudi Arabia like other Arab nations do not approve of Israel. It would be counterproductive to the United States to favor Israel over Arab countries. The US will gradually shift more support for Saudi Arabia, to increase its popularity in the region. The US is regarded negatively by most Arab countries. President Obama wants to reverse this by repairing US-Saudi relations. A friendly gesture was to propose an arms agreement. The only  goal is to have the Saudi Kingdom to enforce US foreign policy in the Middle East.
            When examining the situation in Yemen, the US and Saudi relationship is still functional. Saudi Arabia has engaged in a war of aggression in an attempt to restore the former government. The Houthi rebels established a government after President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi resigned. There were claims that this was a forced resignation. The truce between the Houthi movement had been broken and war broke out. Such disorder allowed Saudi Arabia to make an excuse for invasion. King Salman's reign is now marked by military aggression and possible territorial expansion. The US will not object to blatant violence, because it has conducted military operations in Yemen as well. Drone strikes directed at   Al-qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have caused many civilian causalities. These numbers escalate when Saudi Arabia uses cluster bombs. This was supplied by the United States and exposes the level of contradiction in regards to human rights. King Salman can bomb Yemen, while Bashir Al-Assad is castigated for fighting an armed insurrection. Yemen was part of the agenda when the King visited Washington. The general consensus is that Yemen's current government will be replaced.
            The Iran nuclear agreement has been a source of schism. Saudi Arabia does not want to see a powerful Iran. Nuclear weapons would only increase its leverage in regional affairs. King Salman stated that they would accept this new agreement. This may not be entirely honest. President Obama reassured the monarch that the US is willing to defend the kingdom. This has been an unwritten agreement since the first Gulf War. The US provides some level of security by having bases in Saudi Arabia.There has been a change in course. Now, Saudi Arabia will act unilaterally or in some cases with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. King Salman could decide to act unilaterally and attack Iran. While this poses levels of risks, a militarily powerful Saudi Kingdom would do so. Other Gulf monarchies could join. If Iran were to acquire a nuclear weapon, the US fears this could start an arms race. This only adds to complications in a web of intricate rivalries and alliances.Israel may strike before Saudi Arabia. Iran and Israel are the most powerful countries in the region and Saudi Arabia wants to dislodge both. This means the Saudi monarchy has no desire to see a successful nuclear agreement, because that would remove Iran's pariah status. Keeping Iran isolated internationally and economically allows Saudi Arabia to have an advantage. King Salman's method is to undermine Iran, provide financial  support to Gaza to challenge Israel, and to have an aggressive Saudi military presence throughout the Middle East. Getting President Obama's auspices legitimized his aggressive campaigns in Yemen, Syria, and the operations in Bahrain. It is unclear where these policies will lead to, but at present there are devastating repercussions.   

Qaddafi on Democracy