What is a Muscle?

What is a Muscle

smooth muscle

has the greatest diversity throughout the body

found in the digestive, circulatory, urinary and reproductive systems

described as involuntary as controlled by the autonomic nervous system and is not under conscious control

cardiac muscle

Found in the heart

Involuntary

Contraction of the heart is controlled by the senatorial node

the set rhythm of the heart (on average 72bpm at rest) is called auto rhythmicity

the function of the cardiac muscle is to pump blood (and Oxygen) around the body  

skeletal muscle

attaches across joints via tendons and bone

controlled by the somatic nervous system, therefore its considered to be voluntary

produces locomotion and other body movements

stabilises body positions, as in the maintenance of posture

stores and transports substances within the body (glycogen)

Generates heat for warmth.

Muscle properties

Elasticity

Contractibility

Electrical excitability

Extensibility

Skeletal muscles

70% water

23% protein

7% Minerals and substrates

musicale are covered by Epimysium or fascia.

 

Actions of the muscles

Flexion Extension

Rotation

Adduction

Abduction

Elevation Depression protraction retraction

circumduction 

eversion

invesrion

dorsiflection

plantar flexion

Deltoids	Shoulder	Abduction, flexion and Extension
Biceps	Front of upper arm	Flexion supination and flexion
Triceps	Back of Upper arm	Extension
Trapezius	Upper back	Elevation, retraction and depression
Latissimus Dorsi	Sides of the back	Adduction and extention
Pectoralis major	Chest	Horizontal flextion adduction
Rectus abdominis	Along the centre of the abdomen	Flexion of the spine, lateral flexion of the spine
Obliques	Sides of the abdomen	Rotation and lateral flexion
Gluteus maxmus	Bottom	Extension and external rotation of the hips
Abductors	Outside of thigh	Abduction of the hip
Adductors	Inner thigh	Adduction of the hip
Gastrocnemius	Calf	Plantar flexion of ankle
Hamstring	Back of Thigh	Extension of the hip and flextion of the knee
Quadriceps	Front Thigh	Extension of the knee and hip flexion
Soleus	Calf below the gastrocnemius	Plantarflextion
Tibialis anterior	Front lower shin	Dorsiflexion and inversion of the ankle