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Boundless Anatomy and Physiology
Physiology Textbooks Boundless Anatomy and Physiology
Physiology Textbooks
Physiology

Chapter 9

Muscular System

Book Version 29
By Boundless
Boundless Anatomy and Physiology
Physiology
by Boundless
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Section 1
Introduction to Skeletal Muscle
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Structure and Function of the Muscular System

The muscular system controls numerous functions, which is possible with the significant differentiation of muscle tissue morphology and ability. 

Slow-Twitch and Fast-Twitch Muscle Fibers

Skeletal muscle contains different fibers which allow for both rapid short-term contractions and slower, repeatable long-term contractions.

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Sliding Filament Model of Contraction

In the sliding filament model, the thick and thin filaments pass each other, shortening the sarcomere.

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ATP and Muscle Contraction

ATP is critical for muscle contractions because it breaks the myosin-actin cross-bridge, freeing the myosin for the next contraction.

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Control of Muscle Tension

Muscle tension is influenced by the number of cross-bridges that can be formed.

Section 2
Smooth Muscle
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Skeletal Muscle Fibers

Skeletal muscles are composed of striated subunits called sarcomeres, which are composed of the myofilaments actin and myosin.

Section 3
Control of Muscle Tension
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Force of Muscle Contraction

The force a muscle generates is dependent on its length and shortening velocity.

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Velocity and Duration of Muscle Contraction

The shortening velocity affects the amount of force generated by a muscle.

Motor Units

The motor unit is the functional unit of muscle contraction and includes the motor nerve fiber and the muscle fibers it innervates.

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Muscle Tone

Muscle tone is a measure of a muscle's resistance to stretching while in a passive resting state.

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Types of Muscle Contractions: Isotonic and Isometric

Muscle contractions are defined by changes in the length of the muscle during contraction.

Section 4
Muscle Metabolism
Muscle Metabolism

Muscle contraction occurs via metabolism of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) derived primarily from the simple sugar glucose.

Muscle Fatigue

Muscle fatigue occurs following a period of sustained activity.

Section 5
Exercise and Skeletal Muscle Tissue
Impacts of Exercise on Muscles

Sustained, repeated overload of a muscle group leads to hypertrophy and strengthening of those muscles.

Section 6
Overview of the Muscular System
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Interactions of Skeletal Muscles

Skeletal muscles interact to produce movements by way of anatomical positioning and the coordinated summation of innervation signals.

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How Skeletal Muscles Are Named

The anatomical arrangement of skeletal muscle fascicles can be described as parallel, convergent, pennate, or sphincter.

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How Skeletal Muscles Produce Movements

Muscles are arranged in groupings of agonist, antagonist, and synergists that produce and modulate movement.

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Muscle Attachment Sites

Tendons are composed of connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

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Arrangement of Fascicles

Skeletal muscles are grouped into fascicles, which are bunches of muscle fibers surrounded by a perimysium.

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Lever Systems

Arrangement of muscles allows them to move relative to one another, while the insertion joint acts as the pivot point for a lever system.

Section 7
Head and Neck Muscles
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Facial Muscles

The human face is composed of multiple muscles that control the fine movements that produce facial expressions.

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Chewing Muscles

Mastication, or chewing, involves the adduction and lateral motions of the jaw bone. It is controlled by four muscles of the face.

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Neck Muscles

Cervical muscles are those associated with the front of the neck. Vertebral muscles are associated with the vertebral column.

Section 8
Trunk Muscles
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Anterior Muscles

The anterior muscles of the torso (trunk) are those on the front of the body, including the muscles of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.

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Posterior Muscles

Muscles of the posterior portion of the trunk include muscles of the back, suboccipital region, and perineum region.

Section 9
Muscles of the Upper Limb
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Muscles of the Humerus that Act on the Forearm

Humerus that act on the forearm are primarily involved in flexion and extension.

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Muscles of the Wrist and Hand

Muscles in the forearm move the wrists, and hand movement is caused by both forearm and hand muscles.

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Muscles of the Shoulder

Muscles of the shoulder include those that attach to the bones of the shoulder to move and stabilize the joint.

Section 10
Muscles of the Lower Limb
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Muscles that Cause Movement at the Hip Joint

The four main groups of hip muscles are gluteal, adductor, iliopsoas, and lateral rotator, defined by the type of movement they mediate.

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Muscles that Cause Movement at the Knee Joint

Three sets of muscles (popliteus, quadriceps and hamstrings) allow for movement, balance, and stability at the knee joint.

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Muscles that Cause Movement at the Ankle

Muscles of the leg insert into ankle and foot bones to facilitate ankle movement.

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Muscles that Cause Movement at the Foot

Movement of the foot and toes requires the action of many muscles.

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Boundless Anatomy and Physiology by Boundless
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Muscular System
  • Introduction to Skeletal Muscle
  • Smooth Muscle
  • Control of Muscle Tension
  • Muscle Metabolism
  • Exercise and Skeletal Muscle Tissue
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