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The muscular system’s main function is to allow movement.
When muscles contract, they contribute to two types of movement:
Muscles in the torso protect the internal organs at the front, sides, and back of the body. The bones of the spine and the ribs provide further protection.
Muscles also protect the bones and organs by absorbing shock and reducing friction in the joints.
Homeostasis - a state of bodily equilibrium, or "normal"
Body temperature control is one way skeletal muscles maintain homeostasis in your body.
When you are too cold, your muscles can raise your body's temperature through muscular contractions. (Example: shivering)
When you get too hot, your smooth muscle relaxes. This relaxation increases blood flow and releases excess heat through your skin.
Skeletal muscles assist with your posture. They work together to keep your body in the correct position when sitting or standing.
Good posture relies on strong, flexible muscles. Stiff, weak, or tight muscles contribute to poor posture and misalignment of the body.
Long-term, bad posture can lead to joint and muscle pain in your shoulders, back, neck, etc.
There are two main ways that the muscular system guards entrances/exits in your body.
Skeletal: attaches to bone; has striations
Voluntary
Do not contract automatically
Smooth: lines hollow organs; no striations
Cardiac: in heart; intercalated discs
Involuntary
Contract automatically
Epimysium - “Makes the Muscle”; Connective tissue - binds multiple fascicles together
Perimysium - “Makes the Fascicles”; Connective tissue - covers multiple muscle fibers bundled together
Fascicles - Bundles of muscle fibers
Endomysium - Connective tissue that covers individual muscle fibers
Muscle Fiber - "Muscle Cell"
Excitability – the ability of muscles to respond to a stimulus
Extensibility - the ability to stretch
Elasticity - the ability to return to normal length
Contractility - the ability to contract
Automaticity - the ability to contract without nerve supply
Muscle contraction is important to mobility. The terms below are helpful to explain how muscles move:
Flexion - Bent/ bending
Extension - Increases angle between two body parts
Rotation - Circular movement of a joint or muscle
Abduction - Movement away from the midline of the body
Adduction - Movement toward the midline
These are some examples of disorders that result in muscle weakness. Many of them are neuromuscular disorders, but all of them are caused by dysfunction of the muscle fiber.
“Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology.” Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology, Online Student Edition Page 162, https://www.g-wonlinetextbooks.com/cdn-1493044402676/introduction-anatomy-physiology-2014/172.
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