Muscles

Functions of the muscular system

Functions of the muscular system

• Stabilize joints with their TENDONS

• Produce movement (including standing upright)

• Produce heat to maintain body temperature

MUSCLE FACTS

• There are more than 600 muscles in your body

• Muscles are made of fibers that run parallel to each other held together in bundles by connective tissue

• Each fiber is a cylinder shaped cell

Types of muscle tissue

SKELETAL MUSCLE

• Attaches to bone for movement

• Striated: banded

• Voluntary: you control them

• Can fatigue (tire out)

http://www.bmb.psu.edu/courses/bisci004a/tissues/skeletal.jpg

CARDIAC MUSCLE

• Found only in the heart

• Make your heart beat• Striated• Involuntary: you can’t

control it• Does not fatigue (tire

out)

http://www.sc.edu/union/Sears/AnimalTissue/im.tissueCardiac.jpg

SMOOTH MUSCLE

• Unstriated• Involuntary• React slowly and tires

slowly• Controls breathing,

digestive movements, and blood pressure

http://www.bmb.psu.edu

MUSCLE ACTION

• Muscles always work in pairs– While one contracts, the other is relaxed

• Muscle fibers all have the same strength, so why are some people stronger than others?– They have more muscle fibers

http://www.cytochemistry.net/microanatomy/muscle/smooth1.jpg

http://www.sirinet.net/~jgjohnso/muscle.html