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The muscular system

The muscular system is responsible for the movement of the human body. Attached to the
bones of the skeletal system are about 700 named muscles that make up roughly half of a
persons body weight. Each of these muscles is a discrete organ constructed of skeletal
muscle tissue, blood vessels, tendons, and nerves. Muscle tissue is also found inside of the
heart, digestive organs, and blood vessels.

Skeletal muscles vary considerably in size, shape, and arrangement of fibers. They range
from extremely tiny strands such as the stapedium muscle of the middle ear to large masses
such as the muscles of the thigh. Some skeletal muscles are broad in shape and some narrow.
In some muscles the fibers are parallel to the long axis of the muscle; in some they converge
to a narrow attachment; and in some they are oblique.




Muscle Types
There are three types of muscle tissue: Visceral, cardiac, and skeletal.
1. Visceral Muscle. Visceral muscle is found inside of organs like the stomach, intestines, and
blood vessels. The weakest of all muscle tissues, visceral muscle makes organs contract to
move substances through the organ. Because visceral muscle is controlled by the
unconscious part of the brain, it is known as involuntary muscleit cannot be directly
controlled by the conscious mind. The term smooth muscle is often used to describe
visceral muscle because it has a very smooth, uniform appearance when viewed under a
microscope. This smooth appearance starkly contrasts with the banded appearance of
cardiac and skeletal muscles.

2. Cardiac Muscle. Found only in the heart, cardiac muscle is responsible for pumping blood
throughout the body. Cardiac muscle tissue cannot be controlled consciously, so it is an
involuntary muscle. While hormones and signals from the brain adjust the rate of

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contraction, cardiac muscle stimulates itself to contract. The natural pacemaker of the heart
is made of cardiac muscle tissue that stimulates other cardiac muscle cells to contract.
Because of its self-stimulation, cardiac muscle is considered to be autorhythmic or
intrinsically controlled.

The cells of cardiac muscle tissue are striatedthat is, they appear to have light and dark
stripes when viewed under a light microscope. The arrangement of protein fibers inside of
the cells causes these light and dark bands. Striations indicate that a muscle cell is very
strong, unlike visceral muscles.

The cells of cardiac muscle are branched X or Y shaped cells tightly connected together by
special junctions called intercalated disks. Intercalated disks are made up of fingerlike
projections from two neighboring cells that interlock and provide a strong bond between the
cells. The branched structure and intercalated disks allow the muscle cells to resist high
blood pressures and the strain of pumping blood throughout a lifetime. These features also
help to spread electrochemical signals quickly from cell to cell so that the heart can beat as
a unit.

3. Skeletal Muscle. Skeletal muscle is the only voluntary muscle tissue in the human bodyit
is controlled consciously. Every physical action that a person consciously performs (e.g.
speaking, walking, or writing) requires skeletal muscle. The function of skeletal muscle is
to contract to move parts of the body closer to the bone that the muscle is attached to. Most
skeletal muscles are attached to two bones across a joint, so the muscle serves to move parts
of those bones closer to each other.
Names of Skeletal Muscles
Skeletal muscles are named based on many different factors, including their location, origin
and insertion, number of origins, shape, size, direction, and function.
Location. Many muscles derive their names from their anatomical region. The rectus
abdominis and transverse abdominis, for example, are found in the abdominal region.
Some muscles, like the tibialis anterior, are named after the part of the bone (the anterior
portion of the tibia) that they are attached to. Other muscles use a hybrid of these two, like
the brachioradialis, which is named after a region (brachial) and a bone (radius).

Origin and Insertion. Some muscles are named based upon their connection to a stationary
bone (origin) and a moving bone (insertion). These muscles become very easy to identify
once you know the names of the bones that they are attached to. Examples of this type of
muscle include the sternocleidomastoid (connecting the sternum and clavicle to the
mastoid process of the skull) and the occipitofrontalis (connecting the occipital bone to the
frontal bone).

Number of Origins. Some muscles connect to more than one bone or to more than one place
on a bone, and therefore have more than one origin. A muscle with two origins is called a
biceps. A muscle with three origins is a triceps muscle. Finally, a muscle with four origins

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is a quadriceps muscle.

Shape, Size, and Direction. We also classify muscles by their shapes. For example, the
deltoids have a delta or triangular shape. The serratus muscles feature a serrated or saw-like
shape. The rhomboid major is a rhombus or diamond shape. The size of the muscle can be
used to distinguish between two muscles found in the same region. The gluteal region
contains three muscles differentiated by sizethe gluteus maximus (large), gluteus medius
(medium), and gluteus minimus (smallest). Finally, the direction in which the muscle fibers
run can be used to identify a muscle. In the abdominal region, there are several sets of wide,
flat muscles. The muscles whose fibers run straight up and down are the rectus abdominis,
the ones running transversely (left to right) are the transverse abdominis, and the ones
running at an angle are the obliques.

Function. Muscles are sometimes classified by the type of function that they perform. Most
of the muscles of the forearms are named based on their function because they are located
in the same region and have similar shapes and sizes. For example, the flexor group of the
forearm flexes the wrist and the fingers. The supinator is a muscle that supinates the wrist
by rolling it over to face palm up. In the leg, there are muscles called adductors whose role
is to adduct (pull together) the legs.
Groups Action in Skeletal Muscle
Skeletal muscles rarely work by themselves to achieve movements in the body. More often
they work in groups to produce precise movements. The muscle that produces any particular
movement of the body is known as an agonist or prime mover. The agonist always pairs with
an antagonist muscle that produces the opposite effect on the same bones. For example, the
biceps brachii muscle flexes the arm at the elbow. As the antagonist for this motion, the
triceps brachii muscle extends the arm at the elbow. When the triceps is extending the arm,
the biceps would be considered the antagonist.
In addition to the agonist/antagonist pairing, other muscles work to support the movements of
the agonist. Synergists are muscles that help to stabilize a movement and reduce extraneous
movements. They are usually found in regions near the agonist and often connect to the same
bones. Because skeletal muscles move the insertion closer to the immobile origin, fixator
muscles assist in movement by holding the origin stable. If you lift something heavy with
your arms, fixators in the trunk region hold your body upright and immobile so that you
maintain your balance while lifting.
Skeletal Muscle Histology
Skeletal muscle fibers differ dramatically from other tissues of the body due to their highly
specialized functions. Many of the organelles that make up muscle fibers are unique to this
type of cell.

The sarcolemma is the cell membrane of muscle fibers. The sarcolemma acts as a conductor
for electrochemical signals that stimulate muscle cells. Connected to the sarcolemma are
transverse tubules (T-tubules) that help carry these electrochemical signals into the middle of

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the muscle fiber. The sarcoplasmic reticulum serves as a storage facility for calcium ions
(Ca2+) that are vital to muscle contraction. Mitochondria, the power houses of the cell, are
abundant in muscle cells to break down sugars and provide energy in the form of ATP to
active muscles. Most of the muscle fibers structure is made up of myofibrils, which are the
contractile structures of the cell. Myofibrils are made up of many proteins fibers arranged
into repeating subunits called sarcomeres. The sarcomere is the functional unit of muscle
fibers. (See Macronutrients for more information about the roles of sugars and proteins.)
Sarcomere Structure
Sarcomeres are made of two types of protein fibers: thick filaments and thin filaments.
Thick filaments. Thick filaments are made of many bonded units of the protein myosin.
Myosin is the protein that causes muscles to contract.

Thin filaments. Thin filaments are made of three proteins:

1. Actin. Actin forms a helical structure that makes up the bulk of the thin filament mass.
Actin contains myosin-binding sites that allow myosin to connect to and move actin during
muscle contraction.

2. Tropomyosin. Tropomyosin is a long protein fiber that wraps around actin and covers the
myosin binding sites on actin.

3. Troponin. Bound very tightly to tropomyosin, troponin moves tropomyosin away from
myosin binding sites during muscle contraction.
Functional Types of Skeletal Muscle Fibers. Skeletal muscle fibers can be divided into two
types based on how they produce and use energy: Type I and Type II.
1. Type I fibers are very slow and deliberate in their contractions. They are very resistant to
fatigue because they use aerobic respiration to produce energy from sugar. We find Type I
fibers in muscles throughout the body for stamina and posture. Near the spine and neck
regions, very high concentrations of Type I fibers hold the body up throughout the day.

2. Type II fibers are broken down into two subgroups: Type II A and Type II B.
Type II A fibers are faster and stronger than Type I fibers, but do not have as much
endurance. Type II A fibers are found throughout the body, but especially in the legs where
they work to support your body throughout a long day of walking and standing.

Type II B fibers are even faster and stronger than Type II A, but have even less endurance.
Type II B fibers are also much lighter in color than Type I and Type II A due to their lack
of myoglobin, an oxygen-storing pigment. We find Type II B fibers throughout the body,
but particularly in the upper body where they give speed and strength to the arms and chest
at the expense of stamina.

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1. Fill in the blanks with ONE suitable word:

Muscles of the Head and Neck



The muscles of the head and neck perform many important tasks, including movement of the
head and neck, chewing and swallowing, speech, facial expressions, and movement of the
eyes. These diverse tasks require both strong, forceful movements and some .......... (1) the
fastest, finest, and most delicate adjustments in the entire human body.
These muscles, including the zygomaticus major and orbicularis oris, pull on the skin .........
(2) produce a seemingly infinite number of facial expressions and to move the lips and
cheeks ............. (3) speech and eating.
Producing the bodys ability ............. (4) close the mouth, bite, and chew food, the muscles of
mastication move the mandible relative to the rest of the skull. These muscles, including the
masseter and temporalis, elevate the jaw forcefully during chewing and gently during speech.
An extensive complement of tightly interlaced muscles allows the tongue a range of complex
movements ........... (5) chewing and swallowing, as well as the important function of
producing speech. Of these, four extrinsic muscle sets (connecting the tongue to the
surrounding bones) move the tongue ......... (6) virtually any direction, with fine shape
changes (such as for speech) the province of the four intrinsic tongue ............(7).
As for the eye, six extrinsic eye muscles ............... (8) superior, inferior, lateral, and medial
motion, as well as rotation of the eyeball. These muscles produce extremely fine movements
almost constantly ....................... (9) the day with tremendous speed and accuracy. Located

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.................... (10) the eye, the intrinsic eye muscles work tirelessly to dilate the pupils and
focus the lens of the eye to produce clear vision.
Even the middle ear takes ............... (11) in the muscular system of the head and neck. In fact,
the smallest muscle of the skeleton is the stapedius, which measures ................. (12) 1
millimeter (1/20th of an inch) in length. The muscles of the middle ear contract to dampen
the amplitude of vibrations ..............(13) the eardrum to the inner ear.
The neck muscles, including the sternocleidomastoid and the trapezius, are responsible
............ (14) the gross motor movement in the muscular system of the head and neck. They
move the head in every direction, pulling the skull and jaw ............... (15) the shoulders,
spine, and scapula. Working ............... (16) pairs on the left and right sides of the body, these
muscles control the flexion and extension of the head and neck. Working individually, these
muscles rotate the head or flex the neck laterally to the left or right. Neck muscles contract to
adjust the posture of the head throughout the course of a day and have some of the greatest
endurance of any muscles in the body.
Muscles of the Chest and Upper Back

The muscles of the chest and upper back occupy the thoracic region of the body inferior
................ (17) the neck and superior to the abdominal region and include the muscles of the
shoulders. These important muscles control many motions that involve moving the arms and
head such as throwing a ball, looking up at the sky, and raising your hand. Breathing, a vital
body function, is also controlled .............. (18) the muscles connected ................ (19) the ribs
of the chest and upper back.
The bones of the pectoral girdles, consisting .............. (20) the clavicle (collar bone) and
scapula (shoulder blade), greatly increase the range of motion possible in the shoulder region
beyond what would be possible with the shoulder joint alone. The muscles of this region
............. (21) allow for this range of motion and contract to stabilize this region and prevent
any extraneous motion. ............. (22) the anterior side of the thoracic region, the pectoralis
minor and serratus anterior muscles originate on the anterior ribs and insert on the scapula.
These muscles work ............... (23) to move the scapula anteriorly and laterally .............. (24)
pushing, throwing, or punching motions. In the upper back region, the trapezius, rhomboid
major, and levator scapulae muscles anchor the scapula and clavicle ................ (25) the spines
of several vertebrae and the occipital bone of the skull. .............. (26) these muscles contract,
they elevate the pectoral girdle (as in shrugging) and move the scapula medially and
posteriorly .............. (27) the center of the back (as in rowing). The trapezius also contracts
along the back of the neck .................. (28) extend the head at the neck and hold it upright
throughout the day.
Nine muscles of the chest and upper back are used to ................ (29) the humerus (upper arm
bone). The coracobrachialis and pectoralis major muscles connect the humerus anteriorly
.............. (30) the scapula and ribs, flexing and adducting the arm toward the front of the body
when you reach .............. (31) to grab an object. On the posterior side of the arm the teres

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major and latissimus dorsi extend and adduct the arm towards the scapula and vertebra
............... (32) you pull an object down off of a shelf above your head. The deltoid and
supraspinatus muscles run superiorly ..................... (33) the scapula and humerus to abduct as
well as flex and extend the arm. These muscles allow us to raise our arm in the .............. (34)
or swing the arm as in throwing a ball underhand. Rotation of the humerus is achieved
................ (35) the actions of the subscapularis, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles that
run from the scapula to the humerus. These three rotator muscles, ................ (36) with the
supraspinatus, end in wide tendons that completely surround the head of the humerus and
form a structure ...................... (37) as the rotator cuff, which holds the humerus in place and
prevents dislocation. Rotation of the humerus by the rotator cuff muscles is ........................
(38) for activities such as throwing a ball overhand or swinging a hammer.
In addition to moving the arm and pectoral girdle, muscles of the chest and upper back work
together ............. (39) a group to support the vital process of breathing. The diaphragm is a
strong, thin, dome-shaped muscle that spans the entire inferior border of the ........... (40) cage,
separating the thoracic cavity .......... (41) the abdominal cavity. Contraction of the diaphragm
causes it to ................ (42) towards the abdomen, increasing the space of the thoracic cavity
and expanding the ............... (43), filling them with air. Small muscles running .................
(44) the ribs, known as the external intercostal muscles, lift the ribs during deep breathing to
further expand the chest and lungs and provide even more .............. (45) to the body. During
exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes to ................. (46) the volume of the thoracic cavity,
forcing air .............. (47) of the lungs. Additional air can be forced ................... (48) of the
lungs during deep exhalation ..................... (49) contraction of the internal intercostal
muscles, which push the ribs ..................... (50) and help compress the thoracic cavity.

Muscles of the Trunk



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The muscles of the abdomen, lower back, and pelvis are .................. (51) from those of the
chest by the muscular wall of the diaphragm, the critical breathing muscle. Lying exposed
between the protective bones of the superiorly located ribs and the inferiorly located pelvic
girdle, the muscles of this region .................... (52) a critical role in protecting the delicate
vital organs ...................... (53) the abdominal cavity. In addition ............. (to) providing
protection, these core muscles also function in movement of the trunk, posture, and stability
of the entire body
Extending across the anterior surface of the body from the superior border of the pelvis to the
inferior border of the ribcage are the muscles of the abdominal wall, ..................... (55) the
transverse and rectus abdominis and the internal and external obliques. Working as a team,
these muscles contract to flex, laterally bend, and rotate the torso. The abdominal muscles
also play a major .............. (56) in the posture and stability to the body and compress the
organs of the abdominal cavity during various activities ............. (57) as breathing and
defecation.
The muscles of the lower back, including the erector spinae and quadratus lumborum
muscles, contract to extend and laterally bend the vertebral column. These muscles provide
posture and stability to the body ........... (58) holding the vertebral column erect and adjusting
the position of the body to maintain balance.
Attached to the pelvis are muscles of the buttocks, the lower back, and the thighs. These
muscles, .................. (59) the gluteus maximus and the hamstrings, extend the thigh at the hip
in support of the body's weight and propulsion. Other pelvic muscles, such as the psoas major
and iliacus, serve ........... (60) flexors of the trunk and thigh at the hip joint and laterally rotate
the hip as well.












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Muscles of the Arm and Hand
The muscles of the arm and hand are specifically designed to meet the bodys diverse needs
of strength, speed, and precision while completing many complex daily tasks. Activities such
as lifting weights or heavy boxes require brute strength from the muscles of the arm. Writing,
painting, and typing all require speed and precision from the same muscles. Complete athletic
activities such as boxing or throwing a ball require arm and hand muscles to be strong, fast,
and precise all at the same time

The muscles of the upper arm are responsible for the flexion and extension of the forearm at
the elbow joint. Flexion of the forearm is achieved by a group of three muscles the
brachialis, biceps brachii, and brachioradialis. These flexor muscles are all located on the
anterior side of the upper arm and extend from the humerus and scapula to the ulna and
radius of the forearm. Additionally, the biceps brachii operates as a supinator of the forearm
by rotating the radius and moving the palm of the hand anteriorly. On the posterior side of the
upper arm is the triceps brachii, which acts as an extensor of the forearm at the elbow and the
humerus at the shoulder. The triceps brachii, as its name indicates, has three heads whose
origins are on the scapula and humerus. These three heads merge to insert on the olecranon of
the ulna.
Most of the muscles that move the wrist, hand, and fingers are located in the forearm. These
thin, strap-like muscles extend from the humerus, ulna and radius and insert into the carpals,
metacarpals, and phalanges via long tendons. The muscles on the anterior side of the forearm,
such as the flexor carpi radialis and flexor digitorum superficialis, form the flexor group that
flexes the hand at the wrist and each of the phalanges. The tendons of these muscles pass
through a small corridor in the wrist known as the carpal tunnel. Inflammation of this region
caused by repetitive stress or trauma may lead to pain and numbness known as carpal tunnel
syndrome.
On the posterior side of the arm the extensor muscles, such as the extensor carpi ulnaris and
extensor digitorum, act as antagonists to the flexor muscles by extending the hand and
fingers. The extensor muscles run as long, thin straps from the humerus to the metacarpals
and phalanges. The extensors are generally somewhat weaker than the flexor muscles that
they work against, due to the relative ease in opening a hand compared to gripping something
firmly.
Two special motions produced by the muscles of the forearm are the supination (anterior
rotation) and pronation (posterior rotation) of the forearm and hand. Supination is produced
by the biceps brachii of the upper arm and the supinator muscle of the forearm. Pronation is
likewise produced by the pronator teres of the forearm. Both supinator and pronator teres
muscles have their origins on the humerus and ulna and insert on opposite sides of the radius
to roll the wrist in opposite directions.



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Muscles of the Leg and Foot

Supporting, balancing, and propelling the body is the work of the muscular system of the legs
and feet. From the large, strong muscles of the buttocks and legs to the tiny, fine muscles of
the feet and toes, these muscles can exert tremendous power while constantly making small
adjustments for balance whether the body is at rest or in motion.

The anterior muscles, such as the quadriceps femoris, iliopsoas, and sartorius, work as a
group to flex the thigh at the hip and extend the leg at the knee. Posterior muscles, such as the
hamstrings and gluteus maximus, produce the opposite motion extension of the thigh at the
hip and flexion of the leg at the knee. Lateral muscles, such as the gluteus medius, abduct the
thigh at the hip while the medial groin muscles adduct the thigh. All of these muscle groups
provide powerful contractions to propel the body while making fine adjustments to maintain
the bodys posture and balance.
Located inferior to the knee are a number of muscles that move the ankle, foot, and toes. The
calf muscles, including the gastrocnemius and soleus, join to form the strong calcaneal
(Achilles) tendon of the heel and attach to the calcaneus bone in the heel. These muscles
contract to plantar flex the foot such as when standing on your tiptoes and flex the toes.
Shin muscles, such as the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus, dorsiflex the foot
and extend the toes. The muscles of the calf also work subtly to stabilize the ankle joint and
foot and to maintain the bodys balance.

Diseases of the muscular system

Signs and symptoms of muscular disorders
Two common symptoms of muscular disorders are pain and weakness in the affected skeletal
muscles. The potential causes of muscle pain include:
1. Muscle trauma: Examples of traumatic injuries to a skeletal muscle would include a
laceration, a deep bruise or crushing injury, a muscle tear, or a damaged tendon.
2. Muscle infection: Skeletal muscles may be infected by viruses, as in some forms of
myositis, or colonized by parasitic worms, such as those responsible for trichinosis. These
infections usually produce pain that is restricted to the involved muscles. Diffuse muscle pain
may develop in the course of other infectious diseases, such as influenza or measles.
3. Related problems with the skeletal system: Muscle pain may result from skeletal problems,
such as arthritis or a sprained ligament near the point of muscle origin or insertion.
4. Problems with the nervous system: Muscle pain may be experienced due to inflammation
of sensory neurons or stimulation of pain pathways. Muscle strength can be evaluated by
applying an opposite force against a specific action. For example, the examiner might exert a
gentle extending force while asking the patient to flex the arm.

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Because the muscular and nervous systems are so closely interrelated, a single symptom,
such as muscle weakness, can have a variety of different causes. Muscle weakness may also
develop as a consequence of a condition that affects the entire body, such as anaemia or acute
starvation.

There is no one type of doctor that treats muscular diseases and disorders. Rheumatologists,
orthopedists, and neurologists may all treat conditions which affect the muscles.
Because the muscular system impacts so many of the functions necessary to sustain life, any
disease or disorder can cause health problems, ranging from minor to severe. Not only do
muscular disorders affect mobility, but can result in many other functional abnormalities,
such as the inability to breath, swallow or speak.

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease that damages muscle fibers. The symptoms of
muscular dystrophy disease include weakness, loss of mobility and lack of coordination.
More than 50,000 Americans suffer with one of the nine forms of the disease, which can
occur at any time in a persons life and has no cure.
Cerebral palsy impacts posture, balance and motor functions. Brain damage during or before
childbirth causes a loss of muscle tone, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks. It is one
of the most common congenital disorders.

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disease that results in muscle weakness and
fatigue. A breakdown of the neuromuscular junction causes the brain to lose control over
these muscles. The first symptom is usually a weakness of the eye muscles and drooping
eyelids. Facial muscles are often weak as well, and the individual develops a peculiar smile
known as the myasthenic snarl. As the disease progresses, pharyngeal weakness leads to
problems with chewing and swallowing, and it becomes difficult to hold the head upright.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease," is a
progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain. It is a fatal disease
that affects 30,000 Americans at any one time and leads to a loss of control over voluntary
muscle movement, making it increasingly difficult to swallow, breath and speak. The disease
ultimately causes paralysis and death.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread muscle pain, stiffness,
fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas. While this is a difficult disease to pinpoint and
diagnose and can mimic many other medical problems, it has gained acceptance as a
recognized health issue over the past decade.
Polio. Because skeletal muscles depend on their motor neurons for stimulation, disorders that
affect the nervous system can have an indirect affect on the muscular system. The poliovirus
is a virus that does not produce clinical symptoms in roughly 95 percent of infected
individuals. The virus produces variable symptoms in the remaining 5 percent. Some

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individuals develop a nonspecific illness resembling the flu. A second group of individuals
develop a brief meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the
CNS. In the third group of people, the virus attacks somatic motor neurons in the CNS. In this
third form of the disease, the individual develops a fever 714 days after infection. The fever
subsides, but recurs roughly a week later, accompanied by muscle pain, cramping, and
paralysis of one or more limbs. Respiratory paralysis may also occur, and the mortality rate
for this form of polio is 25 percent for children and 1530 percent of adults. If the individual
survives, some degree of recovery usually occurs over a period of up to 6 months. For
unknown reasons, the survivors of paralytic polio may develop progressive muscular
weakness 2030 years after the initial infection. This postpolio syndrome is characterized by
fatigue, muscle pain, and weakness, and, in some cases, muscular atrophy. There is no
treatment for this condition, although rest seems to help.

Hernias. When the abdominal muscles contract forcefully, pressure in the abdominopelvic
cavity can increase dramatically, and those pressures are applied to internal organs. If the
individual exhales at the same time, the pressure is relieved, because the diaphragm can move
upward as the lungs collapse. But during vigorous isometric exercises or when lifting a
weight while holding ones breath, pressure in the abdominopelvic cavity can rise to 106
kg/cm2, roughly 100 times normal pressures. Pressures this high can cause a variety of
problems, among them the development of a hernia. A hernia develops when a visceral organ
protrudes abnormally through an opening in a muscular wall or partition. There are many
types of hernias, such as inguinal (groin) hernias and diaphragmatic hernias.

Sports injuries affect amateurs and professionals alike. A 5-year study of college football
players indicated that 73.5 percent experienced mild injuries, 21.5 percent moderate injuries,
and 11.6 percent severe injuries during their playing careers. Contact sports are not the only
activities that show a significant injury rate; a study of 1650 joggers running at least 27 miles
per week reported 1819 injuries in a single year. Muscles and bones respond to increased use
by enlarging and strengthening. Poorly conditioned individuals are therefore more likely to
subject their bones and muscles to intolerable stresses than are people in good condition.
Training is also important in minimizing the use of antagonistic muscle groups and keeping
joint movements within the intended ranges of motion. Planned warm-up exercises before
athletic events stimulate circulation, improve muscular performance and control, and help
prevent injuries to muscles, joints, and ligaments. Stretching exercises stimulate muscle
circulation and help keep ligaments and joint capsules supple. Such conditioning extends the
range of motion and prevents sprains and strains when sudden loads are applied.









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Review

1. Choose the correct answer:

1. All movement in the body is the result of muscle contraction without exception.
True False
2. In addition to movement, muscle contraction also fulfills some other important
functions in the body, such as posture, joint stability, and heat production.
True False
3. Each organ or muscle consists of skeletal muscle tissue, connective tissue, nerve
tissue, and blood or vascular tissue.
True False
4. Each bundle of muscle fiber is called a fasciculus and is surrounded by a layer of
connective tissue called the endomysium.
True False
5. Skeletal muscle cells (fibers), unlike other body cells, are hard and strong.
True False
6. Tendon is formed by the epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium that extend
beyond the fleshy part of the muscle.
True False
7. Smooth muscle, attached to bones, is responsible for skeletal movements.
True False
8. Cardiac muscle, found in the walls of the heart, is under control of the autonomic
nervous system.
True False


2. Match each term with its description:

1. Actin a. In anaerobic conditions produces lactic acid



2. ATP b. Causes muscle fatigue


3. Cardiac muscle c. is also an "involuntary muscle" but it's a specialized kind
of muscle found only within the heart


4. Cori cycle d. A localized muscle spasm that happens after strenuous
activity

5. Cramp e. A protein that forms long polymer rods called

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microfilaments Interacts with myosin to cause movement
in muscles


6. Glycogen f. Glucose that has been converted for energy storage.
Muscles store energy for their own use in this form

7. Lactic acid g. Contractile tissue that is derived from the mesodermal
layer of embryonic germ cells


8. Muscle h. "Adenosine Triphosphate" is a nucleotide that comes
from adenosine that takes place in muscle tissue: This
provides a large source of energy for cellular reactions


9. Muscular Dystrophy i. this "involuntary muscle" is found within the walls of
organs and structures such as the esophagus, stomach,
intestines, bronchi, uterus, ureters, bladder, and blood
vessels

10. Myosin j. this "voluntary muscle" is anchored by tendons to the
bone and is used to affect skeletal movement such as
locomotion


11. Sarcoplasmic Reticulum k. Injuries that involve a stretched or torn ligament

12. Skeletal muscle l. An injury to the muscle or tendon attachment

13. Smooth muscle m. A hereditary disease characterized by progressive
atrophy of muscle fibers

14. Sprain n. The fibrous motor protein that uses ATP to drive
movements along actin filaments

15. Strain o. Smooth-surfaced tubules forming a plexus around each
myofibril that function as a storage and release area for
calcium ions