To know the meaning of the term fusiform, it is necessary, first of all, to know its etymological origin. In this case, we can emphasize that it is a word that derives from Latin, exactly the result of the sum of two lexical components of said language:
-The noun “fusus”, which can be translated as “spindle”.
-The word “form”, which is synonymous with “figure” or “image”.
The adjective fusiform can be used to describe something that is shaped like a spindle (an instrument that is longer than it is wide and is used for spinning).
At a general level, therefore, something with an elongated appearance is called fusiform, with narrower tips than the central part. There are fusiform elements in nature , while others are manufactured by man with this type of structure.
Many aquatic animals have a fusiform body . These species have evolved in such a way that they can move with agility in the aquatic environment: thanks to their fusiform body, they can swim at high speed and thus hunt or escape from their predators.
Specifically, we can establish that dolphins and even sharks are spindle-shaped species. Precisely this unique morphology that they possess is what allows them to move in the water more easily than other species. It is considered that their uniqueness is the result of what is called evolutionary convergence.
In addition to everything indicated, we must not overlook the fact that there are other animals that also have this particularity in terms of their physical appearance. We are referring to the so-called ditiscids, which are a family of adephagous beetles of an aquatic type. They are identified because they are not only good flyers but also excellent swimmers.
They have a size that ranges between 2 and 45 millimeters, they carry out a carnivorous diet, the larvae are also aquatic and it should be noted that there is a great variety of species within them. Specifically, it is estimated that there are about 5,000 different ones, with some being among the most significant such as the celina, the hygrotus, the acilius, the coelambus, the bidessus and the agabus.
Following the same logic, vehicles that move through water or air also tend to be fusiform. Submarines and airplanes are elongated machines that, through this configuration, manage to reduce the resistance that the environment exerts on their movement.
In the human body, on the other hand, we can find fusiform muscles . These muscles are characterized by their range of motion, made possible by the path they take to shorten their fibers. When a soccer player kicks a ball, he or she uses various fusiform muscles to lift the leg and then force it forward.
It should be noted that muscle tissue is composed of spindle cells : that is, elongated cells. Their constitution allows them to intertwine with each other and couple to make up the fibers .