Biomechanics Ι

COURSE CONTENT

Introduction to biomechanics principles, Structural elements of the human body.

Biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system – bones, muscle, cartilage, tendons, ligaments: Basic anatomy and physiology, Mechanical functions, Physiological functions, Composition, Microscopic- macroscopic structure, Tissue mechanical characteristics, Bone fracture and remodeling, Mechanical adaptation. Muscle contraction and its modeling, Kinematics elements, Musculoskeletal modeling.

Biomechanics of soft connective tissues (SCT): Anatomy – histology of SCT. Biopolymeric components SCT (collagen, elastin, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans). Mechanics of SCT, static & dynamic, correlation with its components and structure. Mathematical modeling of SCT mechanics.

Cell biomechanics: cell structure, structure and composition of cell membrane and cytoskeleton; Mechanical behavior of cell and its components; modeling of cell mechanical behavior. Mechanisms of adhesion and forces on extracellular matrix.

Keywords: Biomechanics; Tissues; Biological systems, Mechanical behavior; Modeling, Structure-function of biological systems

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course is an introduction to the mechanical behavior of biological tissues and systems.

The aims of the course are to:

• Develop an understanding of the important issues regarding the application of engineering tools in the study of biological tissue mechanics.

• Provide the students with an appreciation for the mechanical complexity of biological systems.

Understand the forces and stresses that are applied or developed on parts of the human body, and the outcomes of these loads.