Role of Muscles and Glands in

Controlling Human Behaviour

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Read this article to learn about the role of muscles and
glands in controlling human behaviour!
Understanding human behaviour is a very complex task because of
the different activities of both the body and mind. The bodily factors
which have a bearing on our behaviour include sense organs,
nervous system, muscles, endocrine glands, etc.

The role of sense organs and nervous system is already dealt. The
muscles and glands influence our behaviour in many ways. Let us
understand the role of muscles and glands in controlling our
behaviour.

Muscles:
The muscles are responsible for many types of movements and
behaviours which are internal as well as external. The main
characteristic of muscle tissue is its ability to contract and making
movements possible.

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There are three types of muscles in our body. They are:

i. Skeletal muscles: As the name implies skeletal muscle attaches to
the skeleton and enables body movement. It is normally under
voluntary (conscious) control.

ii. Cardiac muscle: It is the muscle of heart and is responsible for

pumping the blood. It is under involuntary control.

iii. The smooth muscles form the walls of hollow organs (except
heart) and also found in the skin and the eyes. These are
responsible for a number of functions such as movement of food
through the digestive tract and emptying of the urinary bladder.
These are controlled involuntarily. The major functions of the
muscular system are:
1. Overall movements of the body such as walking, running, and
manipulation of objects with hands, maintenance of body posture,
respiration, and production of body heat.

2. Muscles also help in communication functions such as speaking,

writing, typing, gestures, and facial expressions.

3. They also help in constriction of organs and vessels which help

propel and mix food and water in digestive tract, propel secretions
from organs and regulate blood flow through vessels.

Muscle Tone:
Another factor related to functioning of muscles is the muscle tone.
This refers to the constant tension produced over long periods of
time. Muscle tone is necessary for keeping the back and legs
straight, the head held in an upright position and the abdomen from
bulging. Muscle contraction is very important to enable the
individual to perform long term activities like running, marathon,
listening to long lecture, shooting and such other activities.

Energy for muscle contraction is supplied to the muscles in the form

of adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP). Muscle fatigue results when ATP
is used during muscle contraction faster than it can be produced in
the muscle fibbers. From the psychological point of view, the most
common type of fatigue is ‘psychological fatigue’.

This involves the central nervous system rather than the muscles
themselves. The muscles are still capable of contracting, but the
individual ‘perceives’ that additional muscle contraction is
impossible. For example, a burst of activity in a tired athlete in
response to spectator encouragement is an example of how
psychological fatigue can be overcome.

It is important for the nurse to know these functions of muscles and

help the patients to maintain rest, relaxation, and exercise to keep
the health fit.

Glands:
There are many glands in human beings situated in different parts
of the body.
They are of two types: (i) Duct glands and (ii) ductless or
endocrine glands.
1. Duct Glands:
The duct glands release their secretions through small ducts or
tubes into the body cavities or on to the surface of the body. For
example, salivary gland, sweat glands, lacrimal glands which
produce tears, glands which secrete digestive juices, etc.

These glands are activated during emotional situations. For

example, sweating increases during fear or anger, tears increase
during grief, saliva decreases during fear and make our mouth
become dry, digestion slows down during emotions, but constant
emotion leads to increased secretion of hydrochloric acid leading to
peptic or duodenal ulcers.

2. Endocrine Glands (Ductless Glands):

Endocrine glands are more important from the point of view of
behaviour. Endocrine glands release their secretions called
‘hormones’ directly into blood stream.

The normal secretions of these hormones promote healthy and

normal personality. But over or under secretion of these hormones
affect the development of body, general metabolism, mental
development and emotional behaviour. Some of the important
glands which are directly related to the development of personality
and behaviour are:

1. Pituitary gland:
This is also called the master gland, because it controls the
functions of many glands. There are two lobes in this gland. The
anterior lobe secretes hormones called trophic hormones which
influence the secretions of other glands. For example, thyrotrophic
hormone, gonadotrophic hormone, etc.

The anterior lobe controls the growth of body, prolactin secretion in

women, insulin secretion, metabolic activities, sexual activities, etc.
The hyperactivity of this gland leads to gigantism and under activity
leads to dwarfism.
2. Thyroid gland:
It secretes thyroxin hormone. The normal secretion of thyroxin
hormone regulates oxygen consumption and helps energy output.
Hyperthyroidism causes increased nervous tension or excitement,
insomnia and over activity.

Hypothyroidism causes sluggishness, forgetfulness, stupidity,

dullness, etc. Hypothyroidism in childhood leads to a disease called
cretinism and during adulthood it leads to myxoedema.

3. Parathyroid gland:
These glands are four in number. They secrete a hormone called
Parathyroxin. Hyposecretion leads to excitability, muscular
tremors, spasms and cramps, complete decline in secretion leads to
disease called tetany.

Mentally, the individual becomes highly sensitive to criticisms and

unable to control emotions. Hyperactivity results in lassitude, lack
of interest, physical weakness and softness of bones due to lack of
calcium, and lethargy due nervous weakness.

4. Adrenal glands:
These glands have two parts: Medulla and Cortex. The outer part is
called cortex. It produces a hormone called cortin. Under secretion
of cortin leads to lethargy, fatigue, lack of interest in sexual
activities, irritability, depression, poor memory, sleep disturbances,
indecisiveness, etc. over secretion results in over excitability,
activeness, appearance of premature sexual characteristics, etc.
Excess secretion in women leads to appearance of masculine
characteristics such as moustache, hard voice, rough skin and
growth of hairs on the chest.

Adrenal medulla secretes a hormone called Adrenaline and

Noradrenalin (epinephrine and nor-epinephrine). This hormone
plays a very important role during emotional experiences.
Adrenaline mobilizes the person for emergencies.
It causes rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, respiration, release
of more energy, increasing muscular strength and decreases the
function of digestive and excretory organs.

5. Sex glands:
These glands secrete sex hormones. At least a few male and female
traits are related to the balance existing between male and female
hormones. Sex hormones are necessary for the development of
interest in sex and personality traits.

The sex hormones in males are called Androgens and in females

they are called Estrogens and Progesterone. Under or over secretion
affects the personality development. So also, early and late
maturation affects personality and behaviour in various ways.

In addition to these glands there are some other glands such as: the
pancreas produces insulin. When the insulin quantity in blood goes
very high, the sugar level comes down particularly in brain,
resulting in giddiness, sweating, unconscious, lack of energy in
limbs, etc.

pineal gland which is very important in causing males and female

characteristics. Thymus gland secretes the hormones which have a
bearing on sex organs and sexual activities.

In this way various glands in our body have control over our
behaviour. The knowledge of these glands and their functions help
nurses to understand various signs and symptoms of diseases and
also the behavioural deviations associated with the activities of
these glands.