Muscular

Muscular system is the system of the body that allows it to move. The muscular system consists of muscle tissue, tendons, and ligaments. The muscular system is responsible for movement, maintaining posture, and generating heat.

Structure

The muscular system is made up of over 600 muscles. These muscles are attached to the skeleton by tendons. Ligaments connect bones to each other, providing stability and support. The muscular system is divided into three types of muscles: skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle.

Skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscles are attached to the skeleton and are responsible for voluntary movements. They are striated, meaning they have a banded appearance under a microscope.

Cardiac muscle

Cardiac muscle is found only in the heart. It is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. Like skeletal muscle, it is striated, but unlike skeletal muscle, its contractions are involuntary.

Smooth muscle

Smooth muscle is found in the walls of organs and structures such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, bronchi, uterus, urethra, blood vessels, and the arrector pili in the skin (which are responsible for goose bumps). Smooth muscle is not striated and its contractions are involuntary.

Function

The primary function of the muscular system is 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 muscular system also maintains posture and body position.

Clinical significance

Diseases of the muscular system include muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and tetanus. In addition, diseases of the nervous system can lead to problems with muscle function, such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

See also

• Muscle contraction
• Muscle hypertrophy
• Muscle atrophy

Muscular Resources
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