MUSCULAR SYSTEM Actin and Myosin Myofilaments

Troponin molecules – binding sites for Ca2+; attached at

Functions (M2RPC3) specific intervals along the actin myofilaments
1. Movement of the body.
2. Maintenance of posture. Tropomyosin filaments – cover the attachment sites on
3. Respiration the actin myofilaments; located along the grove bet. the
4. Production of body heat twisted strands of actin myofilaments
5. Communication
6. Constriction of organs and vessels Myosin heads – resemble golf club heads;
7. Contraction of the heart o Bind to attachment sites
o Bend and straighten
Characteristics of the Skeletal Muscle o Break down ATP
Skeletal Muscle
 Constitutes approx. 40% of body weight Sarcomere
 Muscles are attached to the skeletal system o Basic structural and functional unit of skeletal muscle
 Also called Striated Muscle; transverse bands or
striations Z disk – network of protein fibers forming an attachment
site for actin myofilaments
Major Functional Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle
1. Contractility – ability to shorten with force I band – consists of actin myofilaments; spans each Z disk
2. Excitability – capacity to respond to a stimulus
3. Extensibility – ability to be stretched to their A band – darker, central region that extends the length of
normal resting length the myosin of myofilaments
4. Elasticity – ability to recoil to their original
resting length H zone – second light zone that consists of myosin
myofilaments
Skeletal Muscle Structure
Connective Tissue Coverings of Muscle M line – dark-staining bands
Epimysium/Muscular fascia – connective tissue sheath
that surrounds a skeletal muscle The arrangement of the actin and myosin filaments in
sacromeres gives the myofibrils a banded appearance.
Muscle fasciculi – numerous visible bundles that make up
the muscle The alternating I bands and A bands of the sacromeres
are responsible for the striations in the skeletal muscle
Perimysium – loose connective tissue that surrounds the fibers.
muscle fasciculi
Excitability of Muscle Fibers
Muscle fibers – several muscle cells that composes a Resting membrane potential – cell membranes have a
fasciculus negative charge on the inside relative to a positive charge
outside; occurs bcos there is an uneven distribution of ions
Endomysium – loose connective tissue that surrounds a 1. Concentration of K+ inside the cell CM > outside
muscle fiber the CM
2. Concentration of Na+ outside the CM > inside the
Muscle Fiber Structure CM
Sarcolemma – cell membrane of the muscle fiber
Different types of Ion Channels
Transverse tubules (T tubules) – tube-like invaginations o Nongated/Leak channels – always open
w/c occur at regular intervals along the muscle fiber o Chemically gated channels – closed until a chemical
binds them and stimulates them to open
Sarcoplasmic reticulum – highly organized smooth E.R.;
has a relatively high concentration of Ca 2+ (muscle Depolarization – the inside of the CM membrane comes
contraction) more positive than the outside of the cell; Na+ ions move
into cells
Sarcoplasm – cytoplasm of a muscle fiber
Repolarization – the change back to the resting
Myofibrils – threadlike structures composed of: membrane potential; K+ ions moves out of cells
o Actin Myofilaments (thin filaments; purple)
o Myosin Myofilaments (thick filaments; green) Action Potentials – the rapid depolarization and
repolarization of the CM; results in muscle contraction
Sarcomere – highly ordered, repeating units of actin +
myosin myofilaments; joined end to end to form the
myofibril
Nerve Supply Motor neurons – specialized nerve cells that stimulate
muscles to contract Aerobic Respiration – requires O2; breaks down glucose to
produce ATP, CO2, H2O
Neuromuscular junction – a branch that forms a junction
with a muscle fiber
Anaerobic respiration – doesn’t require O2; breaks down
glucose to yield ATP and lactic acid
Synapse – cell-to-cell junction bet. a nerve cell and
another nerve cell/effector cell Creatine phosphate – high-energy molecule that can be
stored in muscle fibers
Motor unit – a single motor neuron and all the skeletal
muscle fibers it innervates Fatigue – state of reduced work capacity
Presynaptic terminal – enlarged axon terminal Muscular Fatigue – when muscle fibers use ATP faster
than they are produced; when the effectiveness of Ca+ to
Synaptic cleft – the space bet. the presynaptic terminal stimulate actin + myosin is reduced
and the muscle fiber membrane
Physiological contracture – muscles may become
Postsynaptic membrane – the muscle fiber membrane incapable of either contracting or relaxing

Synaptic vesicles – presynaptic terminal that contains Psychological fatigue – involves the CNS; an individual
small vesicles perceives that continued muscle contraction is impossible

Acetylcholine (ACh) – neurotransmitter contained in the Type of Muscle Contractions

vesicles; a molecule released by a presynaptic nerve cell Isometric contractions – equal distance; length of the
that stimulates/inhibits a postsynaptic cell muscle does not change; the amount of tension increases
during the contraction process
Acetylcholinesterase – an enzyme that rapidly breaks
down the synaptic cleft bet. the neuron and the muscle Isotonic contraction – equal tension; the amount of
fiber tension produced by the muscle is constant during
contraction; length of the muscle decreases
Muscle Contraction o Cocentric contractions – isotonic; muscle tension
Sliding filament model – sliding of actin myofilaments increases as the muscle shortens
past myosin myofilaments during contraction o Eccentric contractions – isotonic; tension is
maintained in a muscle; the opposing resistance
Cross-bridges – myosin heads attach to the myosin causes the muscle to lengthen
attachment sites on the actin myofilaments
Muscle Tone
Muscle Twitch, Summation, Tetanus, Recruitment
o Constant tension produced by body muscles over
Muscle Twitch – contraction of a muscle fiber in
long periods of time
reponse to a stimulus
1. Lag/Latent Phase – time bet. the application of a o Responsible for keeping the back and legs
stimulus and the beginning of contraction straight, the head in an upright position, and the
abdomen from bulging
2. Contraction Phase – time during which the
muscle contract
Slow-Twitch and Fast-Twitch Fibers
3. Relaxation Phase – time during which the muscle
Classification of Muscle Fiber
relaxes
1. Slow Twitch – contains type I myosin; contracts
slowly and resistant to fatigue respiration
Summation – the force of contraction of an individual
muscle fiber is increased by rapidly stimulating them
2. Fast Twitch
a. Type IIa – intermediate speed; more
Tetanus – convulsive tension; a sustained contraction
fatigue resistant than type IIb
that occurs when the frequency of stimulus is so rapid
b. Type IIb – contract 10x faster than type I
that no relaxation occurs
Myglobin – stores oxygen temporarily
 Caused by Ca+ build up in the myofibrils
Hypertrophy – enlarging of muscle fibers
Recruitment – the no. of muscle fibers contraction is
increased by the increasing no. of motor units stimulated Satellite cells – undifferentiated cells just below the
+ muscle contracts with more force endomysium
Stimulus frequency – no. of times a motor neuron is Smooth and Cardiac Muscle
stimulated per second Autorhythmicity – resulting periodic spontaneous
contraction of smooth muscle
Energy Requirement for Muscle Contraction
Intercalated disks – specialized structures that facilitate
action potential conduction bet. cells Skeletal Muscle Anatomy
General Principles Depressor anguli oris – frowning & pouting; depresses the
Tendon – muscle connected to a bone corner of the mouth
Aponeuroses – broad, sheet like tendons Mastification (for chewing)
Temporalis – fan-shaped muscle
Retinaculum – a band of CT that holds down the tendons
at each wrist and ankle Masseter – seen & felt on the side of the head

Origin – head; most stationary end of the muscle Pterygoid (paired) – protraction, excursion, elevation of
mandible
Insertion – end of the muscle attached to the bone
undergoing the greatest movement Tongue and Swallowing Muscles
Intrinsic muscles – located within the tongue and change
Belly – part of the muscle bet. the origin & the insertion its shape

Agonist – muscle that accomplishes a certain movement Extrinsic muscles – attached to and move the tongue

Antagonist – muscle acting in opposition to an agonist Hyoid muscles – hold the hyoid bone; elevate the larynx

Synergists – a group of muscles working together to Pharyngeal elevators – elevate the pharynx
produce a movement
Pharyngeal constrictors – constrict the pharynx from
Prime Mover – muscle that plays the major role in superior to inferior (forcing food into the esophagus); also
accomplishing desired movement open the auditory tube

Fixators – muscles that hold one bone in place relative to Neck Muscles
the body Sternocleidomastoid – prime mover of the lateral muscle
group; rotates the head; flexes the neck or extends the
Nomenclature head; prayer muscle
1. Accdg. To Location – temporalis, frontalis,
pectoralis, brachialis Torticollis – wryneck; injury to the sternocleidomastoid
2. Accdg. To Origin and Insertion – sterno
(sternum), cleido (clavicle), mastoid (mastoid Deep neck muscles – flexes/extends head and neck
process), brachio (arm), radialis (radius)
3. Accdg. To Number of Origin – biceps (2), triceps, Trapezius – extends and laterally flexes neck
quadriceps
4. Accdg. To Function – flexor (flexion) II. Trunk Muscles
5. Accdg. To Size – maximus (largest), minimus
(smallest), vastus (large) Muscles Moving the Vertebral Column
6. Accdg. To Shape – deltoid (triangle), orbicularis Erector spinae – responsible for keeping the back straight
(circular) and the body erect
7. Orientation of Fasciculi – rectus (straight)
Deep back muscles – responsible for several movements
I. Muscles of the Head and Neck of the vertebral column
Facial Expression
Occipitofrontalis – raises the eyebrows External intercostal – elevate the ribs during inspiration
Orbicularis oculi – encircle the eyes, tightly close the Internal intercostal – contract during forced expiration,
eyelids, and causes crow’s feet wrinkles depressing the ribs
Orbicularis oris – encircles the mouth Diaphragm – major movement produced in the thorax
during quiet breathing
Buccinator – kissing muscles; pucker the mouth; flattens
the cheeks I whistling/blowing
Scalenes – inspiration and rib elevation
Zygomaticus – elevate the upper lip and corner of the Abdominal Wall Muscles
mouth Linea alba – tendinous area of the abdominal wall that
consists of white connective tissue
Levator labile superioris – sneering; elevates one side of
the upper lip
Rectus abdominis – located on each side of the linea alba

Tendinous intersections – causes the abdominal wall of a

lean, well-muscled person to appear segmented
External/Internal abdominal oblique & Transversus Wrist and Finger Movements
abdominis – flex and rotate the vertebral column or Retinaculum – fibrous connective tissue that covers the
compress the abdominal contents flexor & extensor tendons and holds them in place around
the wrist
Pelvic Floor and Perineal Muscles
Pelvic Floor – pelvic diaphragm Flexor carpi – flex the wrist
Levator ani – muscle that forms the pelvic floor
Extensor carpi – extend the wrist
Perineum – associated with the male/female
Flexor digitorum – flexor of the digits/fingers
reproductive structures

Perineum bulbospongiosus – constricts the urethra; Extensor digitorum – extension of the fingers
erects the penis, clitoris
Intrinsic hand muscles – 19 muscles located within the
hand
Perineum ischiocavernosus – compresses the base of
penis/clitoris
Interossei – responsible for abduction and adduction of
the fingers
Perineum external anal sphincter – keeps the orifice of
the anal canal closed
Tennis elbow – inflammation and pain due to forceful,
III. Upper Limb Muscles repeated contraction of the wrist extensor muscles
Scapular Movements
Palmus longus – tightens palm skin
o Attach the scapula to the thorax and move the
scapula
IV. Lower Limb Muscles
o Acts as fixators to hold the scapula firmly in Thigh Movements
position when the muscle of the arm contract Iliopsoas – flexes the hip
o Move the scapula into different positions
 Trapezius Tensor fasciae latae – helps steady the femur on the tibi
 Levator scapulae when a person is standing
 Rhomboids
 Serratus anterior Gluteus maximus – extends the hip; adducts and laterally
 Pectoralis minor rottes the thigh; contributes most of the mass

Arm Movements Gluteus medius – extends the hop when the thigh is flexed
Pectoralis major – adducts the arm and flexes the at a 45O angle; common site for injections in the buttocks
shoulder; extend the shoulder from a flexed position (sciatic nerve lies deep to the g. maximus)

Latissimus dorsi – swimmer’s muscle; medially rotates Leg Movements

and adducts the arm and powerfully extends the Quadriceps femoris – primary extensors of the knee
shoulder
Sartorius – tailor’s muscle; longest muscle in the body;
Rotator cuff muscles – attached the humerus to the flexes the hip and knee; rotates the thigh laterally for
scapula and forms a cuff/cap over the proximal humerus sitting cross legged

Deltoid – attaches the humerus to the scapula and Hamstring muscles – flexing the knee
clavicle; major abductor of the upper limb
Adductor muscles – adducting the thigh
Forearm Movements
Triceps brachii – primary extensor of the elbow Ankle and Toe Movements
Gastrocnemius & Soleus – form the bulge of the calf
Biceps brachii & brachialis – primary flexors of the elbow
Calcaneal tendon – Achilles tendon; flexors and are
Brachioradialis – posterior forearm muscle; helps flex the involved in plantar flexion of the foot
elbow
Fibularis muscles – primary everters of the foot; aid in
Supination and Pronation plantar flexion
Supinator – supination of the forearm or turning the
flexed forearm so that the palm is up Intrinsic foot muscles – flex, extend, abduct, and adduct
the toes
Pronator – pronation, turning other forearm so that the
palm is down Extensor digitorum longus – extends 4 lateral toes, everts
foot
Extensor halluces longus – extends great toe; inverts
foot

Tibialis anterior – inverts foot

Fibularis tertius – everts foot

Flexor digitorum longus – flexes 4 lateral toes, inverts

foot

Flexor halluces longus – flexes great toe, inverts foot

Tibialis posterior – inverts foot

Fibularis brevis – everts foot

Fibularis longus – everts foot

Effects of Aging on Skeletal Muscle

o Decreased muscle mass
o Slower reaction time
o Reduced stamina
o Increased recovery time

Types of Muscular Tissue

I. Skeletal (striated voluntary)
o Large, long, cylindrical cells
o Multinucleated
o Attached to bones
o Responsible for body movement

II. Cardiac (striated involuntary)

o Cylindrical cells
o Branched and connected to one another by intercalated disks
o Single nucleated
o Found in the heart
o Pumps the blood

III. Smooth (nonstriated involuntary)

o End tapered cells
o Single nucleated
o Found in hollow organs: stomach,
intestine; skin, eyes
o Regulates size of organs, forces fluid
through tubes, controls the amount of
light entering the eye, produces ‘goose
bumps’