Muscular System

Created by: V. Leggett 10/14/05

Function of Muscles
Produce movement Maintain posture Stabilize joints Generate heat

Muscular System Functions

The muscular system moves the body. The body has over 600 muscles. Some muscles are called voluntary, that means that you choose to use them. How active you are depends on how much use they get! Some muscles are called involuntary because they work without you thinking about them. These are muscles like the heart and digestive system.

How do muscles work?

Muscles can't push. They pull. Muscles often work in pairs so that they can pull in different or opposite directions, like a finger that moves in different directions.

Muscle Movement
Involuntary- Automatically move without you knowing. Voluntary- Brain sends message to muscle. You control the movements.

Types Of Muscles
Smooth Muscle- Digestive organs, Makes up 7-8% of your muscles. Involuntary

Types of Muscles cont.

Cardiac Muscles- Only found in the heart. Involuntary. Makes up 3% of your muscles. By age 70 heart contracts 2.5 billion times (assume resting heart beat).

Types of Muscles cont.

Skeletal Muscles- Makes up 90% of your muscles. Voluntary- These are the muscles that you can move.

Did you know

Muscles help you
Open your mouth Speak Shake hands Walk Talk Digest food Smile Blink Breathe Play sports

Without muscles you wouldnt be alive!

Ways to Strengthen the Muscular System

Exercise at least 3 times a week increasing your heart rate. Eat well-balanced meals with vitamins and minerals. Can you think of more ways?

Fun Facts
You have over 30 facial muscles which create looks like surprise, happiness, sadness, and frowning. Eye muscles are the busiest muscles in the body. Scientists estimate they may move more than 100,000 times a day! The largest muscle in the body is the gluteus maximus muscle in the buttocks. There are about 60 muscles in the face. Smiling is easier than frowning. It takes 20 muscles to smile and over 40 to frown.

Credits
http://yucky.kids.discovery.com/nofl ash/body/pg000123.html http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/amc gann/body/muscular_facts.html