Anatomical RedundAncy

Some of the most robust systems that arise from human design are very redundant. They possess backups on backups. This is to ensure information does not get lost, and the system can be restored should some disruption occur. Human anatomy can be considered in the same vein, just with a much greater capacity to adapt.

Movement may be the most fundamental way in which we interact with the world. I will be the first to admit that as a physical therapist I am biased in that assessment, but I may not be incorrect. Every interaction in our daily lives involves some form of movement, whether it be taking a step forward or creating an electrical impulse in our brains that generates a thought. Movement is the fundamental process underlying it all. For a system to successfully move, there must be measures taken to ensure that if one aspect of the system fails, the entire thing does not. This means partitioning off sections that have similar characteristics but can operate autonomously should a failure occur.

I am currently typing on a computer, so let’s use the arm as an example. If one of my fingers cannot move in the direction I need it to, I can bend my whole hand in the direction needed to accomplish the movement. Now, if my hand cannot complete the motion, I can recruit my forearm to create the movement. The pattern continues until I exhaust all my options, and then something usually starts to hurt. The resiliency of the system is built on that fact that there are multiple ways to accomplish the same activity should something go awry.

Redundancy is key to a robust system that is capable of being adaptable in the face of failure. Failure occurs at some point in all systems, however if it can be restored via independent components that failure can be overcome.

Austin Ulrich, Physical Therapist