Unit 4: The Muscular System
Unit 4
The Muscular System
(4 hours LEC/6 hours LAB)
Introduction
Most of us would think that muscles are those that are visible
just under the skin, particularly of the limbs. However these are just the
skeletal muscles which particularly move the skeleton. There are two
other types of muscle in the body, with distinctly different jobs, namely
the smooth muscles which are associated with various involuntary
movements and the cardiac muscle which is primarily concerned with
the pumping action of the heart. This unit describes briefly these three
types of muscles. And as we move further this focuses predominantly
on the structure and function of the skeletal muscles.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit, you are expected to:
a. compare and contrast the anatomical structure
different types of muscle tissue;
b. list and explain the functions of the skeletal
muscle;
c. locate the attachments of the skeletal muscle;
d. differentiate the types of muscle contraction;
e. demonstrate common types of muscle movement;
f. identify the muscles of inspiration and expiration;
and
g. correlate the functions of the muscles of
respiration with the process of breathing.
Presentation of Contents
You write, you speak, you chew and you move in whatever way that you can. Then
you rest, take a deep breath and you feel your heart beating. All of these activities in
your body are being influenced by the function of the muscular system.
The muscles portray a part in every function of the body. This system is made up of
over 600 muscles and it is one of the four primary tissue types of the body, and the
body contains three types of muscle tissue. Skeletal muscles are the only muscles
that can be consciously controlled and they are attached to bones, and contracting
the muscles causes movement of those bones. Therefore, any action that a person
consciously undertakes involves the use of skeletal muscles. On the other hand,
smooth muscle and cardiac muscle acts involuntarily and cannot be consciously
controlled.
Each muscle type in the muscular system has a specific purpose but, they also work
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Unit 4: The Muscular System
together to make these functions possible. Example, when you run your skeletal
muscles work, but your heart pumps harder (cardiac muscle) which also causes you
to breathe heavier (smooth muscle) for your needed support of oxygen during your
run.
Now, keep reading to discover much more about the muscular system and how it
controls the body. To be more familiar with the different functions of the integumentary
system read VanPutte, Regan & Russo (2019); Marieb E. & Keller (2019) or Rizzo D.
(2016).
Application: Based from your reading and self – understanding, answer the
following items correctly. Please specify your references completely.
1. Identify five general functions of the muscular system. Explain these
functions and give examples each.
2. Describe the features of each muscle type as to location, cellular
characteristic, function and mode of control.
3. Categorizes the organs of the body according to muscle tissue types.
Specify their function.
4.
Have you ever been involved in any sports activity that requires physical strength?
What do you usually observe when you are done with the game? Did you experience
body pains or muscle fatigue in particular? That is because as an athlete you rely on
toned skeletal muscles to supply the force required for movement during your sports
activity.
The whole skeletal muscle is considered an organ of the muscular system. Each
organ or muscle consists of skeletal muscle tissue, connective tissue, nerve tissue, and
blood or vascular tissue and they vary considerably in size, shape, and arrangement of
fibers.
Each of the skeletal muscle fiber is a single cylindrical muscle cell. An individual
skeletal muscle may be made up of muscle fibers bundled together and wrapped in a
connective tissue covering. Each muscle is surrounded by a connective tissue sheath
called the epimysium. Fascia, connective tissue outside the epimysium, surrounds and
separates the muscles. Portions of the epimysium project inward to divide the muscle
into compartments. Each compartment contains a bundle of muscle fibers called a
fasciculus and is surrounded by a layer of connective tissue called the perimysium.
Within the fasciculus, each individual muscle cell, called a muscle fiber, is surrounded
by connective tissue called the endomysium.
Commonly, the epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium extend beyond the fleshy
part of the muscle, the belly or gaster, to form a thick ropelike tendon or a broad, flat
sheet-like aponeurosis. The tendon and aponeurosis form indirect attachments from
muscles to the periosteum of bones or to the connective tissue of other muscles.
Typically a muscle spans a joint and is attached to bones by tendons at both ends. One
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Unit 4: The Muscular System
of the bones remains relatively fixed or stable while the other end moves as a result of
muscle contraction.
Muscle contraction allows movement; in addition to that, it also fulfills some other
important functions in the body, such as posture, joint stability, and heat production.
1. Describe the microscopic structures of a muscle.
2. Illustrate the myofibrils, sarcomeres and myofilament.
3. Before a skeletal muscle fiber can contract, it has to receive an impulse
from a nerve cell. Explain in a diagram the summary of skeletal muscle
contraction.
4. Describe contraction, excitability, extensibility and elasticity. Discuss
their significance.
5. Discuss the types of muscle contraction.
6. Explain the function of the neuromuscular junction.
7. Define the two ways energy is produced in skeletal muscle.
Flex your elbows and identify your biceps and your triceps. Did you identify them
correctly? Or need a little help from VanPutte, Regan & Russo (2019); Marieb E. &
Keller (2019) or Rizzo D. (2016).
From your reading, you have learned that most skeletal muscles have names that
describe some feature of the muscle. Often several criteria are combined into one
name. Associating the muscle's characteristics with its name will help you learn and
remember them. The following are some terms relating to muscle features that are
used in naming muscles. These includes; location, size, shape, orientation of fascicles
or the direction of fibers, origin and insertions, number of heads or origins, and action
or functions.
1. List and define the given characteristics in naming a muscle: location,
size, shape, orientation of fascicles or the direction of fibers, origin and
insertions, number of heads or origins, and action or functions.
2. Create a matrix of the different muscle group as to location and action.
a. Muscles of the head and neck;
b. Muscles of the trunk;
c. Muscles of the upper extremity; and
d. Muscles of the lower extremity.
3. Illustrate and summarize the muscles of respiration. Emphasize its
origin and insertion and action.
Unit Summary
Here is what you have learned from the Muscular system:
1. There are three types of muscle are skeletal, smooth, and cardiac.
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Unit 4: The Muscular System
2. The most predominant characteristics of skeletal muscle tissue is its
contractility and nearly all movement in the body is the result of muscle
contraction.
3. Four functions of muscle contraction are movement, posture, joint
stability, and heat production.
4. Parts of the muscles include the epimysium, fascia, fasciculus,
perimysium and the endomysium and the tendon and aponeurosis form indirect
attachments from muscles to the periosteum of bones or to the connective
tissue of other muscles.
5. Muscle features such as size, shape, direction of fibers, location,
number of origin, origin and insertion, and action are often used in naming
muscles.
6. The major muscle groups of the body include: Muscles of the head and
neck; trunk; upper extremity; and lower extremity.
Feedback
Part 1: Test for Critical Thinking. Read and analyze the problems carefully. From
your readings and understanding answer the questions concisely and in no more than
300 words.
1. Your emotions can be seen through your facial expressions. When
you’re happy you smile, when sad, you pout and when you’re angry you frown.
These are just some of how you display your feelings. Identify the muscles that
would be used to carry your facial expressions.
2. Imagine what your breathing would be like if you were to start thinking
about how you do it. Begin by breathing more deeply. Don’t breathe from your
chest but from your abdomen instead; your diaphragm. Your diaphragm is your
main breathing muscle. It’s the one you really need to think about utilizing
when you breathe. But aside from this, other muscle also perform their function
in order for you to breathe well. Discuss the muscles of respiration, specifically,
the muscle used for inhalation and exhalation. Describe their movement, origin
and insertions.
3. Ella was known to be great dancer when she was in her teenage years.
As she aged her dancing stamina slightly slowed down. Now that she’s in her
50’s she rarely performs though was willing to do so but her weakened
muscles limit her. Discuss the effects of aging on skeletal muscles.
4. You were busy the whole day doing your school assignments. Because
you were so focused in doing those stuff and have been sitting for quite a
longer period of time and before you could finish your work you suddenly felt
muscle cramps of the foot. Explain the reason for this to happen.
5. John was chosen to be a participant of a muscle building contest.
Describe an exercise routine that would help him build the muscles particularly
of the abdomen; anterior and posterior arm; anterior forearm; anterior thigh and
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Unit 4: The Muscular System
posterior leg.
Part 2: Drawing/Labelling Exercise. Write your answers legibly.
1. Draw and label the connective tissue wrapping of the skeletal muscle.
2. Color the muscles of inspiration blue and muscles of respiration red.
Label the following respiratory and abdominal muscles as indicated.
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Reflection
1. Discuss your learning in this unit.
2. Describe the particular concept that struck you the
most.
3. State the impact of any of the topics to your everyday
life.
References:
Textbook/Manual:
1. Tortora & Derrikson (2016). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 15th
Edition.
2. VanPutte C., Regan J., Russo A. (2019). Seeley’s Essentials of
Anatomy and Physiology 10th Edition
3. Gunstream S. (2003), Anatomy & Physiology, 3rd Ed. McGraw Hill
4. Marieb E. & Keller S., (2019). Essentials of Human Anatomy &
Physiology,12th Ed, Pearson
5. Rizzo D. (2016). Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology, 4th Ed.
Pearson
6. Hapan M.F., Domingo J., Sadang M.G. (2015). Human Physiology and
Anatomy Laboratory Manual 2nd Edition C&E Publishing
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Unit 4: The Muscular System
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