The mechanical design of a receptor muscle

Abstract

The mechanical properties of a receptor muscle, the short accessory muscle, in the walking leg of the Asiatic horse shoe crab, Tachypeus gigas were investigated. The maximal active displacement of different regions along the muscle occurs nearer the tendon end when the muscle is stimulated under isometric condition. The elasticity of this muscle differs from one region to the next when stretched passively and the region of maximal elasticity is also nearer the tendon end. The length tension curve shows that this muscle has the ability to develop tension over a wide range of length. The region with maximal active displacement and elasticity may be ideal for the location of sensory findings innervating this muscle and such a design would be useful for a receptor muscle monitoring and adjusting the movement of joints.