Learning Task 4 – Muscular System

1. In order to show why muscles contract and why it is important, make a summary
(in bullet form*) of your understanding regarding the video “Sliding Filament
Theory”. (10 pts.)

 Upon receiving signals from the nervous system, muscles will contract.
 The muscle will contract when the thick and thin filaments in the sarcomere
slide past one another.
 The sliding filament mechanism of muscle contraction occurs when myosin
cross-bridges attach to actin filaments and exert force, causing them to move.
 During the power stroke, ADP and inorganic phosphate are released. Myosin
remains attached to actin until a new molecule of ATP binds, at which point it
is free to either go through another cycle of binding and contraction or remain
unattached to allow the muscle to relax.
 The actions of calcium regulate muscle contractions. Sarcoplasmic reticulum
stores calcium ions, which are released in response to the nervous system's
signals to contract.
 Calcium ions travel to myofibrils, where they cause muscle contraction.
 Because we rely on our muscles for daily tasks like writing and breathing,
muscles are important.

2. Fill out the table by indicating the location and functions/descriptions of the different
muscles. (20 pts)

Muscle Origin Insertion Function/s

Trapezius Superior nuchal Clavicle, Stabilize scapula, superior

line of occipital acromion and fibers elevate scapula and
bone, spine of scapula extend head, middle fibers
ligamentum adduct scapula, inferior fibers
nuchae, spines of depress scapula
C7 and all
thoracic
vertebrae
Sternocleidomastoid Manubrium of Mastoid process Together: flex cervical
sternum and and occipital vertebrae and head; singly:
medial part of bone (superior laterally flex and rotate head
clavicle nuchal line)

External intercostals Inferior border of Superior border Elevate ribs during

rib above of rib below inspiration

Internal intercostals Superior border Inferior border of Draw ribs together during
of rib below rib above forced expiration

Rectus abdominis Pubic crest and Costal cartilage Flexes vertebral column,
symphysis of 5th-7th ribs, compresses abdomen,
xiphoid process stabilizes pelvis

Infraspinatus Infraspinous Greater tubercle Laterally rotates arm,

fossa of scapula stabilizes shoulder

Serratus anterior Superior 8 or 9 Anterior surface Holds scapula against chest

ribs of vertebral wall, rotates scapula,
border of important to stabilize
scapula shoulder for arm movements
(pushing, punching)

Deltoid Clavicle, Deltoid Abducts arm (PM), anterior

acromion and tuberosity of fibers flex and medially rotate
spine of scapula humerus arm, posterior fibers extend
and laterally rotate arm

Pectoralis major Clavicle, sternum Greater tubercle Flexes arm (PM), adducts
cartilages of first of humerus arm, medially rotates arm
6 or 7 ribs,
aponeurosis of
external oblique

Latissimus dorsi Spines of inferior Intertubercular Extends arm (PM), adducts

6 thoracic groove of arm, medially rotates arm,
vertebrae and humerus draws arm inferiorly and
lumbar vertebrae posteriorly
(via
thoracolumbar
fascia), iliac
crest, inferior 3-4
ribs, inferior
angle of scapula
Teres major Inferior angle of Lesser tubercle Extends arm, adducts arm,
scapula on on anterior medially rotates arm
posterior surface humerus

Triceps brachii Projection inferior Olecranon Extends forearm (PM)

to glenoid cavity process
(long head),
posterior surface
of humerus
(lateral and
medial heads)

Extensor carpi Lateral Base of 5th Extends hand, adducts hand

epicondyle, metacarpa
posterior border
of ulna

Extensor digitorum Lateral Distal and Extends fingers (PM),

epicondyle middle extends hand
phalanges of
each finger

Gluteus maximus Ilium, sacrum, Iliotibial tract, Extends thigh, laterally

coccyx, gluteal rotates thigh, abducts thigh
aponeurosis of tuberosity of
sacrospinalis femur

Gluteus medius Lateral surface of Greater Abducts thigh, medially

ilium trochanter rotates thigh, stabilizes pelvis

Sartorious Anterior superior Medial surface Flexes leg, flexes thigh,

iliac spine of tibia abducts thigh, laterally
rotates thigh

Soleus Superior tibia, Calcaneus Plantarflexes foot

fibula and
interosseous
membrane

Gastrocnemius Lateral and Calcaneus Plantarflexes foot, flexes leg

medial condyles
of femur

Extensor digitorum Lateral condyle Middle and distal Dorsiflexes foot, Extends
longus of tibia, anterior phalanges of toes (PM) at
surface of fibula, toes 2- 5 metatarsophalangeal joint
 interosseous
membrane

3. Compare the following in bullet form(*). (10 pts.)

a. Isotonic and isometric contraction
b. Concentric and eccentric contraction

Isotonic Isometric

 Work done  No work done

 Involve joint movement
 Shorten against fix load
 Muscle shorten
 Energy deficient
 Tension constant
 Does not involve joint movement
 Muscle does not shorten
 Fix length
 Energy efficient
 Tension Increase