The

Muscular
System
 Objectives
 Learn the different
muscles in the body.
Know the types,
characteristics and
functions of muscles.
Identify the disorders and
movements of muscle.
Muscular System
- Is a set of tissues in the
body with the ability to
change shape.

- Muscles are responsible

for all types of body
movement – they
contract or shorten and
Three Basic Types
of
Muscle

·Skeletal Muscle
·Cardiac
Muscle
·Smooth Muscle
 Did You Know?
Muscles make up 40% of your
total body weight. (BMI)
The smallest muscles are found in
the middle ear (Stapedius). At just
1 millimeter in length, its purpose
is to stabilize the smallest bone in
the body, the STAPES.
 Did You Know?

 To take one step, you use

200 muscles.
 Your tongue is the
strongest muscle in your
body.
 It takes 17 muscles to smile
Characteristics
of
Muscles
 Characteristics
1. Contractability ~ its ability
to shorten and thicken
(when muscles work they
contract, that is, they get
shorter and thicker)
2. Extensibility ~ ability to
stretch (when muscle is
relaxed it becomes longer
and thinner)
 Characteristics
3.Elasticity ~ ability to
return to original length.
4. Irritability ~ ability to
respond to stimulus.
5. Tone ~ slight tension in
the muscles at all times,
 Characteristics of Skeletal Muscles

Voluntary – subject to
conscious control
Most are attached by
tendons to bones
 Characteristics of Smooth Muscles
Involuntary – no
conscious control
Slow, sustained and
tireless
Found mainly in the
walls of hollow organs
 Characteristics of Cardiac Muscles

Joined to another
muscle cell at an
intercalated disc
Involuntary - no
conscious control
 Functions of Muscles

Produce movement
Maintain posture
Stabilize joints
Generate heat
Types of Muscle Contractions

Isotonic
Contractions
The tension in the
muscle remains constant
despite a change in
muscle length
The muscle shortens
Types of Muscle Contractions
Isometric
Contractions
Tension in the muscles
increases
The muscle is unable to
shorten
A muscle generates
 Muscle and Body Movement

 Movement
is attained due
to a muscle
moving an
 Muscle and Body Movement

Muscles are attached to

at least two points
 Origin – attachment to
a moveable bone
 Insertion – attachment
to an immovable bone
 Effects of Muscles
Results of increased muscle use
Increase in muscle size
Increase in muscle strength
Increase in muscle efficiency
Muscle becomes more fatigue
resistant
 Types of
Body
Movements
 Types of Body Movements

1. Adduction ~ moving a
body part toward the
midline.

2. Abduction ~ moving a
 Types of Body Movements

3.Flexion (Flexor) ~ decreasing the

angle between two bones and body
part.

4. Extension ( Extensor) ~
increasing the angle between two
 Types of Body Movements
5. Rotation ~ a circular motion which turns a
body part on its axis.
6. Sphincters ~ ring like muscles that close
body openings.
example: rectum
7. Elevators ~ lift a part of the body
 Types of Body Movements
8. Depressors ~ lower a part of the body.

9. Supination ~ the act of rotating the arm so

the palm of the hand is upward.

10. Pronation ~ the act of rotating the arm so

the palm of the hand is turned downward.
Types of
Body
Muscles
 Types of Body Muscles
Prime Mover – muscle with the
major responsibility for a certain
movement.
Antagonist – muscle that opposes
or reverses a prime mover.
Synergist – muscle that aids a prime
mover in a movement and helps
 Naming of Body Muscles

 Direction of Muscle
Fibers
 Example: RECTUS
(straight)
 Relative Size of the
 Naming of Body Muscles

 Location of the Muscle

 Example: many muscles are
named for bones (e.g.,
temporalis)
 Number of Origins
 Example: TRICEPS (three
 Naming of Body Muscles
Location of the Muscles Origin and Insertion
 Example: STERNO (on the sternum)
Shape of the Muscle
 Example: DELTOID (triangular)
Action of the Muscle
 Example: FLEXOR and EXTENSOR (flexes or
extends a bone)
Muscular
Disorders
 Muscular Disorders

 Muscular Dystrophy: inherited,

muscle enlarge due to increased fat and
connective tissue, but fibers degenerate
and atrophy.

 Duchenne MD: lacking a protein to

 Muscular Disorders

 Cerebral Palsy - very common

congenital disorder that affects the
posture, balance and motor functions.

Myasthemia Gravis - progressive

weakness due to a shortage of
 Muscular Disorders

 Muscle Cramps - Cramps in muscles

can occur suddenly and involuntarily, in
one or more muscles. Overusing a muscle
or pinching nerve can cause a cramp.
 Polymyositis - It affects the systemic
connective tissue causing weakness and
 Types of
Joint
Movements
 Joint Movement
 ELBOW FLEXION – decreasing the angle
between the lower arm and the upper arm.
 ELBOW EXTENSION – increasing the
angle between the lower arm and upper arm.
 KNEE FLEXION - decreasing the angle
between the lower leg and the upper leg.
 KNEE EXTENSION - decreasing the angle
between the lower leg and the upper leg.
 Joint Movement
 SHOULDER ADDUCTION – decreasing
the angle between upper arm and the side.
 SHOULDER ABDUCTION – increasing the
angle between upper arm and the side.
 SHOULDER FLEXION – increasing the
angle between the upper arm and the chest.
 SHOULDER EXTENSION – decreasing the
angle between the upper arm and the chest.
 Joint Movement
 SHOULDER HORIZONTAL FLEXION –
decreasing the angle between the upper arm
and the chest.
 SHOULDER HORIZONTAL
EXTENSION – increasing the angle between
the upper arm and the chest.
 LEG FLEXION – decreasing the angle
between the thighs and the torso.
 Joint Movement
 TRUNK FLEXION – decreasing the angle
between the chest and the stomach.
 TRUNK EXTENSION – increasing the
angle between the chest and the stomach.
 ANKLE FLEXION – decreasing the angle
between the foot and the shin.
 ANKLE EXTENSION – decreasing the
angle between the foot and the shin.
 Joint Movement
 WRIST FLEXION - decreasing the angle
between the palm and the underside of the
forearm.
 WRIST EXTENSION - increasing the angle
between the palm and the underside of the
forearm.