Muscle system

Muscle System

The muscle system or muscular system is an organ system consisting of skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles. It permits movement of the body, maintains posture, and circulates blood throughout the body.

Anatomy of the Muscle System

The muscle system is composed of three types of muscles: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac.

Skeletal Muscles

Skeletal muscles, also known as striated muscles, are voluntary muscles that control nearly every action a person intentionally performs. They are attached to the skeleton by tendons, which allow for the control of movement.

Smooth Muscles

Smooth muscles are involuntary muscles found within the walls of organs and structures such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, bronchi, uterus, urethra, and blood vessels. Unlike skeletal muscles, these muscles can sustain long periods of contraction and play a role in most automatic physiological processes.

Cardiac Muscles

Cardiac muscles are also involuntary muscles but are found only in the heart. Their contraction constitutes the heartbeat, which pumps blood throughout the body.

Function of the Muscle System

The primary function of the muscle system is to provide movement. Muscles are the only tissue in the body that has the ability to contract and therefore move the other parts of the body.

The muscle system also maintains the body's posture, stabilizes joints, and generates heat during activity.

Disorders of the Muscle System

There are many disorders that can affect the muscle system, including muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and sprains and strains. These disorders can result in a variety of symptoms, such as muscle weakness, pain, and limited mobility.

See Also

• Muscle tissue
• Muscle contraction
• Muscle hypertrophy
• Muscle atrophy