MUSCULAR SYSTEM

- latin word “mus”, meaning little mouse

- muscles are responsible for body movements,
stabilizing joints, and generating heat
- primary function is contraction or shortening, enabling
body movements
Muscle Types

 Similarities: All muscle types are elongated (muscle

fibers), contain myofilaments for contraction, and use
the prefixes myo- or mys- (muscle), and sarco- (flesh)
 Muscle Structure:
o Endomysium: A delicate connective tissue sheath
that encloses each muscle fiber.
o Perimysium: A coarser fibrous membrane that
wraps several sheathed muscle fibers together to
form a bundle of fibers called a fascicle.
o Fascicle: A bundle of muscle fibers.
o Epimysium: A tough "overcoat" of connective
tissue that covers the entire muscle.
o Tendon: A strong, cordlike structure that attaches
a muscle to bone, cartilage, or another connective
tissue covering.
o Aponeurosis: A sheetlike structure that indirectly
attaches a muscle to bone, cartilage, or another
connective tissue covering.
1. Skeletal muscle: Voluntary, striated, and attached to
the skeleton. Functions include movement, posture,
joint stabilization, and heat generation.
2. Smooth muscle: Involuntary, nonstriated, and found in
hollow organs. Functions include movement of
substances through organs.
3. Cardiac muscle: Involuntary, striated, and found only in
the heart. Functions include pumping blood
throughout the body.
Muscle Functions  Neuromuscular Junction: The junction between a
 Produce Movement: Muscles are responsible for all nerve fiber and a muscle fiber.
bodily movements, from walking and running to subtle  Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) is the
facial expressions. neurotransmitter that stimulates skeletal muscle
 Maintain Posture and Body Position: Muscles fibers.
continuously work to keep us upright and maintain our  Synaptic Cleft: The gap between the nerve ending and
the muscle fiber membrane.
body's position, even when we're sitting or standing
 Interstitial Fluid: The fluid that fills the synaptic cleft.
still.
 Action Potential: An electrical signal that travels along
 Stabilize Joints: Muscles help to reinforce and stabilize
the sarcolemma, triggering muscle contraction.
joints, especially those with poorly articulating surfaces
like the shoulder and knee.
 Generate Heat: Muscle activity produces heat as a
byproduct, which is essential for maintaining normal
body temperature.
 Additional Functions: Muscles also perform other
important tasks, such as:
o Forming valves: Smooth muscles create valves
that regulate the passage of substances through
internal openings.
o Controlling pupil size: Smooth muscles in the eye
dilate and constrict the pupils.
o Causing hair to stand on end: The arrector pili
muscles, made of smooth muscle, contract to
cause goosebumps.
o Forming voluntary valves: Skeletal muscles can
form valves that are under conscious control.
o Protecting internal organs: Muscles enclose and
protect delicate organs.
MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY OF SKELETAL MUSCLE
Key Points:
 Multinucleate: Skeletal muscle fibers have multiple
nuclei located beneath the sarcolemma (plasma
membrane).
 Myofibrils: These long, ribbon like organelles fill the
cytoplasm and give the muscle its striated appearance.
 Sarcomeres: The basic structural and functional units
of skeletal muscle. They are arranged end-to-end
within myofibrils.
 Myofilaments: Threadlike protein filaments that make
up sarcomeres. There are two types: thick filaments
(mostly myosin) and thin filaments (mostly actin).
 Sliding Filament Theory: Muscle contraction occurs
when thin filaments slide over thick filaments,
shortening the sarcomere.
 Sarcoplasmic Reticulum (SR): A specialized organelle
that stores and releases calcium ions, which are
essential for muscle contraction.
 Cross Bridges: Projections on the thick filaments that
link to the thin filaments during muscle contraction.
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis): A progressive
neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness
and paralysis, leading to respiratory failure and death. Life
expectancy is 3-5 years due to respiratory failure.
Skeletal Muscle Activity
Nerve Stimulus and Action Potential:
 Motor Unit: A single motor neuron and all the skeletal
muscle fibers it stimulates. Contraction of a Skeletal Muscle as a Whole
 Axon: The long, threadlike extension of a neuron. - Skeletal muscles can contract with varying force, from
 Axon Terminals: The branches of the axon that form weak twitches to strong, sustained contractions.
junctions with muscle fibers. Key Points:
 Graded Responses: Skeletal muscles can produce Providing Energy for Muscle Contraction
varying degrees of force, depending on the frequency
of stimulation and the number of muscle fibers
activated.
 Muscle Twitch: A single, brief contraction of a muscle
fiber.
 Tetanus: Sustained muscle contraction due to rapid
nerve stimulation.
 Unfused Tetanus: Incomplete tetanus with partial
relaxation between contractions.
 Fused Tetanus: Complete tetanus with no visible
relaxation between contractions.

 Direct phosphorylation of ADP by creatine phosphate:

A rapid process that regenerates ATP from creatine
phosphate (CP) during short-term, high-intensity
exercise.
 Creatine phosphate (CP): A high-energy molecule
stored in muscle fibers that can donate a phosphate
group to ADP to form ATP.
 Aerobic pathway: The process of using oxygen to
break down glucose and produce ATP. This pathway is
efficient but requires a steady supply of oxygen.
 Anaerobic glycolysis and lactic acid formation: A
process that produces ATP without oxygen. It is less
efficient than aerobic respiration but can provide
energy for short bursts of activity.
o Lactic acid: A byproduct of anaerobic glycolysis
that can accumulate in muscles during intense
exercise, leading to fatigue and soreness.
Muscle Fatigue and Oxygen Deficit
 Muscle oxygen deficit: The condition that occurs when
the body cannot supply muscles with enough oxygen to
meet their energy needs during intense exercise.
Types of Muscle Contractions
 Isotonic Contractions: Muscle contractions that result
in movement (e.g., lifting weights).
 Isometric Contractions: Muscle contractions that do
not result in movement (e.g., pushing against a wall).
Muscle Tone
 Muscle tone: The continuous partial contraction of
muscles, even when they are at rest.
FLACCID PARALYSIS: Occurs when the nerve supply to a
muscle is destroyed, leading to muscle weakness, wasting,
and loss of tone.
SPASTIC PARALYSIS: A condition where muscles become
overly contracted and difficult to control, often due to
damage to the upper motor neurons.
Effect of Exercise on Muscles
 Muscle Atrophy: Inactivity leads to muscle weakness
and wasting.
 Muscle Growth and Strength: Regular exercise
increases muscle size, strength, and endurance.
 Aerobic Exercise: Improves muscle endurance,
flexibility, and cardiovascular health.
 Resistance Exercise: Increases muscle size and strength
through hypertrophy (enlargement of muscle fibers).
 Combined Exercise: A balanced exercise program
includes both aerobic and resistance training for
optimal benefits.
MUSCLES MOVEMENTS, ROLES, AND NAMES
5 Golden Rules of Skeletal Muscle
1. With a few exceptions, all skeletal muscles cross at
least one joint.
2. Typically, the bulk of a skeletal muscle lies proximal to
the joint crossed.
3. All skeletal muscles have at least two attachments: the
origin and the insertion.
4. Skeletal muscles can only pull; they never push.
5. During contraction, a skeletal muscle insertion moves
toward the origin.
Types of Muscle Movements

 Muscle Attachments: Muscles are attached to bones at

the origin (fixed point) and insertion (movable point).
 Movement: Contraction of a muscle causes the
insertion to move towards the origin.
 Common Movements:
o Flexion: Decreasing the angle between two bones.
o Extension: Increasing the angle between two bones.
o Hyperextension: Extending a joint beyond 180
degrees.
o Rotation: Moving a bone around its longitudinal axis.
o Abduction: Moving a limb away from the midline.
o Adduction: Moving a limb towards the midline.
o Circumduction: A circular movement that combines
flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.
 Special Movements:
o Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion: Movements of the Interactions of Skeletal Muscles in the Body
foot at the ankle.  Muscle Pairs: Muscles often work in pairs, with one
o Inversion and eversion: Movements of the foot. muscle (prime mover) producing a movement and the
o Supination and pronation: Movements of the other (antagonist) opposing it.
forearm.
 Synergists: Muscles that assist the prime mover in
o Opposition: The ability of the thumb to touch the
producing a movement or help to stabilize a joint.
other fingers.
 Fixators: Muscles that stabilize a bone or joint,
allowing the prime mover to act more effectively.
  Pennate Arrangement: Fascicles attach obliquely to a
central tendon.
o Unipennate: Fascicles attach to one side of the
tendon (e.g., extensor digitorum).
o Bipennate: Fascicles attach to opposite sides of
the tendon (e.g., rectus femoris).
o Multipennate: Fascicles attach from multiple sides
of the tendon (e.g., deltoid).

GROSS ANATOMY OF SKELETAL MUSCLES

- Skeletal muscles are grouped based on their location
and function, including head and neck muscles, trunk
muscles, and limb muscles.
1. Muscles of the Head and Neck
Naming Skeletal Muscles
- muscles are named based on various characteristics,
including direction of fibers, size, location, number of
origins, attachments, shape, and action.
 Direction of the muscle fibers: Terms like "rectus"
(straight) and "oblique" indicate the direction of
muscle fibers.
 Relative size of the muscle: Terms like "maximus,"
"minimus," and "longus" refer to the relative size of
the muscle.
 Location of the muscle: Muscles can be named based
on the bones they are associated with.
 Number of Origins: Terms like "biceps," "triceps," and
"quadriceps" indicate the number of origins. Head Muscles
 Location of the muscle’s origin and insertion: Muscles - Facial Muscles: Control facial expressions and are
can be named based on their origin and insertion unique for their attachment to soft tissues.
points (attachment sites). - Chewing Muscles: Assist in breaking down food.
 Shape of the muscle: Some muscles have distinctive - Paired Muscles: Most head and neck muscles are
shapes, like the "deltoid" (triangular) muscle. paired, except for except for the platysma, orbicularis
 Action of the muscle: Terms like "flexor," "extensor," oris, frontalis, and occipitalis.
and "adductor" indicate the muscle's primary action. Facial Muscles
Arrangement of Fascicles  Frontalis: Raises eyebrows, wrinkles forehead.
- the arrangement of fascicles within a muscle affects its  Orbicularis Oculi: Closes eyes, squints, blinks, winks.
structure and function.  Orbicularis Oris: Closes and protrudes lips.
 Circular Arrangement: Fascicles arranged in concentric  Buccinator: Flattens cheeks, assists in chewing.
rings, often forming sphincters (e.g., orbicularis  Zygomaticus: Raises corners of mouth (smiling
muscles). muscle).
 Convergent Arrangement: Fascicles converge toward a  Occipitalis: Pulls the scalp backward.
single insertion tendon (e.g., pectoralis major). Chewing Muscles
 Parallel Arrangement: Fascicles run parallel to the long  Masseter: Closes the jaw.
axis of the muscle (e.g., sartorius).  Temporalis: Assists in closing the jaw.
 Fusiform Arrangement: A spindle-shaped muscle with Neck Muscles
a wider midsection (e.g., biceps brachii). - Primarily responsible for head and shoulder
movement.
 Platysma: A broad, flat muscle that covers the
anterolateral neck and pulls the corners of the mouth
downward.
 Sternocleidomastoid: A paired muscle that originates
from the sternum and clavicle, and inserts into the
mastoid process. It flexes the neck and rotates the
head to the opposite side.
TORTICOLLIS: A condition where the head is tilted to one
side due to muscle spasms, often caused by birth injury.
Trunk Muscles
- responsible for movement of the vertebral column,
ribs, head, and arms. They can be divided into three
main groups; anterior, abdominal, posterior muscles 2. Muscles of the Upper Limb
Anterior Muscles - 3 groups of upper limb muscles that work together to
 Pectoralis Major: A large, fan-shaped muscle located allow for a wide range of movements in the upper
on the chest. It adducts and flexes the arm. limb, including shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and
 Intercostal Muscles: Found between the ribs, they help extension, and wrist and hand movements
with breathing. Shoulder Muscles
Abdominal Girdle Muscles  Pectoralis Major: Adducts and flexes the arm.
 Rectus Abdominis: Flexes the vertebral column,  Latissimus Dorsi: Extends and adducts the arm.
compresses abdominal contents.  Deltoid: Abducts the arm.
 External Oblique: Flexes, rotates, and bends the Elbow Muscles
vertebral column laterally.  Brachialis: Flexes the elbow.
 Internal Oblique: Same functions as external oblique.  Biceps Brachii: Flexes the elbow and supinates the
 Transversus Abdominis: Compresses the abdominal forearm.
contents.  Brachioradialis: Flexes the elbow.
 Triceps Brachii: Extends the elbow.
Forearm Muscles
 Flexor Carpi and Flexor Digitorum Muscles: Flex the
wrist and fingers.
 Extensor Carpi and Extensor Digitorum Muscles:
Extend the wrist and fingers.
3. Muscles of the Lower Limb
- are responsible for movement at the hip, knee, and
ankle joints. They are among the largest and strongest
muscles in the body and are essential for walking,
running, and balancing.
Muscles Acting on the Hip Joint
 Gluteus Maximus: Extends the hip.
Posterior Muscles  Gluteus Medius: Abducts the hip.
 Trapezius: Elevates, depresses, adducts, and stabilizes  Iliopsoas: Flexes the hip.
the scapula.  Adductor Muscles: Adduct the thigh.
 Latissimus Dorsi: Extends and adducts the humerus. Muscles Acting on the Knee Joint
 Erector Spinae: Prime mover of back extension.  Hamstring Group: Flexes the knee and extends the hip.
 Quadratus Lumborum: Flexes the spine laterally.  Sartorius: Weakly flexes the hip and knee.
 Deltoid: Abducts the arm.  Quadriceps Group: Extends the knee.
Muscles Acting on the Ankle and Foot
 Tibialis Anterior: Dorsiflexes and inverts the foot.
 Extensor Digitorum Longus: Extends the toes.
 Fibularis Muscles: Plantar flex and evert the foot.
 Gastrocnemius: Plantar flexes the foot.
 Soleus: Plantar flexes the foot.
Developmental Aspects of the Muscular System
Key Points:
 Early Development: The muscular system is laid down
in segments during embryonic development.
 Fetal Movements: The fetus begins to exhibit
movements (quickening) around the 16th week of
pregnancy.
 Postnatal Development: Muscle control develops in a
superior-to-inferior and proximal-to-distal direction.
 Muscle Atrophy: Inactivity or lack of use can lead to
muscle atrophy (wasting).
 Aging: With age, muscle mass decreases and
connective tissue increases, leading to decreased
muscle strength.
 Exercise: Regular exercise can help maintain muscle
mass and strength, even in older adults.
Muscular Dystrophy: A group of inherited diseases that
cause muscle weakness and wasting.
 DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY: A severe form of
muscular dystrophy that primarily affects boys.
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: An autoimmune disease that causes
muscle weakness and fatigue due to a shortage of
acetylcholine receptors.