Chapter 6: Muscular System

The essential muscle function of muscle is contraction and or shorteningthis is what sets it apart from any other body tissue.
Muscles are basically responsible for all body movement: machines of
the body.
As we age the amount of connective tissue increases and the amount of
muscle tissue decreases.
Depolarization is an electrical activity which causes muscular activity.
Muscle Types:
1. Skeletal:
a. Skeletal muscle fibers are huge, cigar-shaped,
multinucleate cells.
b. Largest of the muscle fiber types.
c. Some are activated by reflex; they can contract rapidly, but
tire easily.
d. They are soft and fragile, however, they do not rip apart
because their fibers are bundled together. This means
strength and support for the muscle as a whole.
e. Each fiber is enclosed in a connective tissue sheath:
endomysium and then by a coarser fibrous membrane:
perimysium. Then they are bound together by a connective
tissue called an epimysium.
** Tendons act as anchor muscles and provide durability and conserve
space.**
2. Cardiac:
a. Cardiac fibers are cushioned by connective tissue:
endomysium and arranged in spiral or 8-shaped bundles.
b. When the heart contracts its internal chambers become
smaller.
c. Cardiac muscles usually contracts at a fairly steady rate;
pacemaker.
d. But the heart can also be stimulated by the nervous system
and shifts into high gear for short periods. Ex) when youre
nervous or when you run to catch the bus.
3. Smooth:
a. Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped and surrounded by
an endomysium.
b. They are arranged in layers, mostly 2; one running circularly
and the other longitudinally.
c. As the 2 layers contract and relax, they change the size and
shape of the organ.
d. Smooth muscle contraction is slow and sustained.

SKELETAL

CARDIAC

SMOOTH

LOCATION

Attached to bones

Walls of the heart

Walls of hollow
organs (blood
vessels, urinary
bladder, stomach)

CELL SHAPE
&
STRUCTURE

Single, very long,

cylindrical and
multinucleate cells

Branching chain
of cells and
intercalated discs;
uninucleate

Single, fusiform;
uninucleate

STRIATIONS
& CONTROL

Striations/ Voluntary

Striations/
Involuntary

No striations/
Involuntary

CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
COMPONENT

Endomysium,
perimysium and
epimysium

Endomysium

Endomysium

FUNCTION &
CONTRACTIO
N

Movement, heat,
protection and
posture

Continuously
pumps blood

Peristalsis, blood
pressure

IMAGE

Muscle Functions:
Producing movement is a common function of all muscle types. However,
skeletal muscles perform various other functions:
1. Produce movement:
a. All movements result from muscle contraction.
b. They enable us to respond quickly to changes in the external
environment.
c. They allow us to express our emotions.
2. Maintain posture
3. Stabilizing joints:
a. As they pull on bones to cause movement they stabilize the
joints.
b. Tendons are extremely important in reinforcing joints. Ex)
shoulder joint
4. Generate heat:
a. Body heat is generated as a product of muscle activity.

b. ATP is used to power muscle contraction;

3
4

of its energy

escapes as heat.
c. This heat is important in maintaining a normal body temp.
Microscopic Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Endomysium: thin connective tissue investing each muscle cell

Epimysium: connective tissue unsheathing the entire muscle
Fascicle: a discrete bundle of muscle cells
Fiber: a muscle cell
Myofilament: actin or myosin containing structure
a. Thick: made mostly of bundled molecules of the protein myosin,
they contain ATPase enzymes which generate power for muscle
contraction. (pushes the actin)
b. Thin: made of the contractile protein, actin.
6. Myofibril: a long, filamentous organelle found within muscle cells; fill
the cytoplasm
a. Dark (A) and Light (I) bands give the muscle its striped
appearance
7. Sarcolemma: the cell membrane of a muscle fiber cell
8. Perimysium: connective tissue surround a fascicle
9. Sarcolemma: plasma membrane of the muscle cells
10. Sarcomere: contractile unit of muscle
11. Tendon: cordlike extension of connective tissue beyond the muscle,
serving to attach it to the bone

Nerve Stimulus and Action Potential:

To contract a muscle, the skeletal muscle must be stimulated by nerve
impulses.
Neuromuscular junctions have vesicles that are filled with a chemical
known as neurotransmitters. The specific neurotransmitter that
stimulates skeletal muscles is acetylcholine (ACh).

The muscle cells membrane and the nerve never touch, the gap between
them is called the synaptic cleft which is filled with tissue fluid.

Steps for the contraction mechanism:

1. Acetylcholine is released into the neuromuscular junction by the
axon terminal.
2. Acetylcholine diffuses across the neuromuscular junction and binds
to receptors of the sarcolemma.
3. Depolarization occurs and the action potential (electrical current) is
generated.
4. The action potential causes the sarcoplasmic reticulum to release
Ca+ ions.
5. The Ca+ ion concentration increases and the myofilaments begin to
slide past one another (shortening of muscle)
6. As Ca+ is reabsorbed, its concentration at the myofilaments
decreases.
7. The muscle relaxes and lengthens.

Muscle Fatigue and Oxygen Deficit:

To accomplish a strong contraction many motor units are stimulated at a
rapid rate.
Muscle fatigue occurs when a muscle is overworked without proper rest. It
is believed to be a result of oxygen deficiency; when a muscle is being
stimulated but is not able to respond due to lack of oxygen.
Lactic acid causes muscles to fatigue.
Tetanus is when there is a continuous contraction and isotonic
contraction is when muscles shortens and the movement occurs.
Isometric contraction occurs when tension in the muscle increases
gradually.
Muscle tone occurs when a muscle is voluntarily relaxed but some of its
fibers are still contracting; continuous partial contractions.
If the nerve supply to the muscle is destroyed the muscle is no longer
being stimulated and loses its tone and eventually paralyzed. Then it
becomes flaccid (flabby) and begins to atrophy (disfigure).

Types of Exercises:

Aerobic or endurance:
o Causes stronger and more flexible muscles to fatigue; the bloody
supply to muscles increases and the muscles cells form more

mitochondria and store more oxygen. It makes metabolism more

efficient, digestion and enlarges the heart so more blood can be
pumped. (running, biking, spinning)
Anaerobic:
o Oxygen demand surpasses oxygen supply; doesnt require
oxygen supply; brief intense bursts of physical activity; fueled by
energy stored in muscles through glycolysis (sugar becomes
energy). (volleyball, soccer etc.)

Resistance or isometric:
o Require very little time and no special equipment; bulges your
muscles; force muscles to contract with as much force as
possible. (lifting weights)

Muscle Movement, Type and Name:

The five golden rules of skeletal muscle activity:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

All skeletal muscles cross at least one joint

The bulk of the muscle lies proximal to the joint crossed
Has 2 attachment: origin and insertion
Only pull; NEVER PUSH
Insertion moves towards the origin

The origin is the muscle attached to the less moveable bone, while the
insertion is attached to the moveable bone.

Gross Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles:

I.

Head and Neck Muscles:

Buccinators: in front of ears; used to suck in cheeks; flattens cheeks

Frontalis: used for frowning; forehead crease

Masseter: prime mover of jaw closure
Orbicularis oris: the kissing muscle; moves the lips
Orbicularis oculi: allows you to close your eyes, blink and wink
Sternocleidomastoid: prime mover of head flexion
Temporalis: the other muscle used for jaw closure
Zygomaticus: cheek bone; used for smiling
Platysma: pulls corners of mouth downward allowing us to sag our mouths
(sad face)

II.

Muscles of the Trunk

Deltoid: prime mover for shoulder

Pectoralis major: prime mover for shoulder flexion
Biceps brachii: prime mover for flexion of the forearm
Triceps brachii: prime mover of elbow extension
Trapezius: extend the head and extend, depress or stabilize the scapula
(shoulders)
Latissimus dorsi: extends and adducts the humerus

Erector spinae: prime mover of back extension

Rectus abdominis: straight muscle of the abdomen; flexes the vertebral
column

III.

Muscles of the Hip, Thighs and Legs

Gluteus medius: smaller hip muscle commonly used as an injection site

Gluteus maximus: a powerful hip extensor
Adductors: muscle group that allows you to draw your leg to the midline of
your body
Fibularis muscles: muscle group of the lateral leg
Tibialis anterior: inverts and dorsiflexes the foot

Quadriceps: muscle group that extends the knee

Hamstring group: muscle group that extends the thigh and flexes the knee
Gastrocnemius: a two-bellied muscle in the calf
Sartorius: helps cross legs
Soleus: a plantar flexor
Iliopsoas: hip flexor, deep in the pelvis; a composite of 2 muscles

Spasms:
They are involuntary contractions between one muscle and another; they
occur because of:

Poor blood circulation in the legs

Over-stretching of the calf muscles while exercising
Insufficient stretching before exercise
Muscle fatigue
Dehydration

Duchennes muscular dystrophy: Most common in boys; where they

become clumsy and their muscle weaken
Myasthenia gravis: Autoimmune disease, Characterized by droopy
eyelids and general muscle weakness and fatigability. Occurs during
adulthood