Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6

INTRODUCTION TO MUSCULAR SYSTEM

Muscular tissue is composed of well differentiated cell containing contractile protein . These proteins
generate forces necessary for cellular contraction, which drives movements within certain organ and body as a
whole.
The cytoplasm of muscle cell is called sarcoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum is called
sarcoplasmic reticulum and cell membrane is called sarcolemma.
• The muscular system is responsible for the
movement of the human body. Attached to the
bones of the skeletal system are about 700
named muscles that make up roughly half of a
person’s body weight. Each of these muscles is
a discrete organ constructed of skeletal muscle
tissue, blood vessels, tendons, and nerves.
Muscle tissue is also found inside of the heart,
digestive organs, and blood vessels.
• The 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. The muscular system
in vertebrates is controlled through the nervous system, although some muscles (such as the cardiac muscle)
can be completely autonomous. Together with the skeletal system it forms the musculoskeletal system,
which is responsible for movement of the human body.

Functions of the muscle

• The main 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.
• Second function: the maintenance of posture and body position. 
• The cardiac and visceral muscles are primarily responsible for transporting substances like blood or food
from one part of the body to another.
• Important for the stability of the joints.
• The final function of muscle tissue is the maintain of body heat. As a result of the high metabolic rate of
contracting muscle, our muscular system produces a great deal of waste heat.

Abilities of the muscle

All three types of muscles have these abilities,
i. Irritability:- Means the ability to responded to a stimulus .
ii. Conductivity:- Means the ability to transmit impulses.
iii. Extensibility:- Means the ability to stretch.
iv. Elasticity:- Means the ability to contract and thicken , special properly highly developed in muscles.
v. Contractility:- Means the ability to contract.

Types of muscular tissue :- There are three types of muscle tissue distinguished on the basis of morphologic
and functional characteristics. They are

Chandan shah Page 1

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6
• Skeletal (Striated or voluntary)
• Visceral (Smooth or involuntary)
• Cardiac muscle

 Visceral Muscle. Visceral muscle is found inside of organs like the stomach, intestines, and blood vessels.
The weakest of all muscle tissues, visceral muscle makes organs contract to move substances through the
organ. Because visceral muscle is controlled by the unconscious part of the brain, it is known as involuntary
muscle—it cannot be directly controlled by the conscious mind. The term “smooth muscle” is often used to
describe visceral muscle because it has a very smooth, uniform appearance when viewed under a
microscope.
Function:  
 Contractions of smooth muscle constrict (i.e. narrow = reduce the diameter of) the vessels they
surround. This is particularly important in the digestive system in which the action of smooth muscle
helps to move food along the gastrointestinal tract as well as breaking the food down further.
Smooth muscle also contributes to moving fluids through the body and to the elimination of
indigestible matter from the gastrointestinal system.
 Skeletal Muscle:- Skeletal muscle is the only Striated just like cardiac muscle, these skeletal
voluntary muscle tissue in the human body—it muscle fibers are very strong. Skeletal muscle
is controlled consciously. Every physical action derives its name from the fact that these muscles
that a person consciously performs (e.g. always connect to the skeleton in at least one
speaking, walking, or writing) requires skeletal place.
muscle. The function of skeletal muscle is to
contract to move parts of the body closer to the
bone that the muscle is attached to. Most
skeletal muscles are attached to two bones
across a joint, so the muscle serves to move
parts of those bones closer to each other. 
Skeletal muscle cells form when many smaller
progenitor cells lump themselves together to
form long, straight, multinucleated fibers.
Function:
• Movement of the skeleton under concious control, including movement of limbs, fingers, toes, neck, etc.
• Movement of tissues of facial expression under concious control, e.g. ability to smile and to frown.

 Cardiac Muscle:- Found only in the heart, cardiac muscle is responsible for pumping blood throughout the
body. Cardiac muscle tissue cannot be controlled consciously, so it is an involuntary muscle. While
hormones and signals from the brain adjust the rate of contraction, cardiac muscle stimulates itself to
contract. The natural pacemaker of the heart is made of cardiac muscle tissue that stimulates other cardiac

Chandan shah Page 2

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6
muscle cells to contract. Because of its self-stimulation, cardiac muscle is considered to be autorhythmic or
intrinsically controlled. 
The cells of cardiac muscle tissue are striated—that is, they appear to have light and dark stripes when
viewed under a light microscope. The arrangement of protein fibers inside of the cells causes these light and
dark bands. Striations indicate that a muscle cell is very strong, unlike visceral muscles. 
The cells of cardiac muscle are branched X or Y shaped cells tightly connected together by special junctions
called intercalated disks. Intercalated disks are made up of fingerlike projections from two neighboring cells
that interlock and provide a strong bond between the cells. The branched structure and intercalated disks
allow the muscle cells to resist high blood pressures and the strain of pumping blood throughout a lifetime.
These features also help to spread electrochemical signals quickly from cell to cell so that the heart can beat
as a unit.
Function:
• Pumping of blood through the heart: Alternate contraction and relaxation of cardiac muscle pumps
– De-oxygenated blood through the Right Atrium and Right Ventricle to the lungs, and
• Oxygenated blood through the Left Atrium and Left Ventricle to the aorta, then the rest of the body.

Types of muscular movement

Each movement at a joint is brought about by a the forearm, harmsting muscle produces the
coordinated activity of different groups of skeletal flexion of the knee.
muscles. These muscles group are classified and b. Antagonists(Opponents):- The oppose the prime
named according to their function. mover. They extends the limbs, eg triceps
a. Prime movers (Agonists):- These muscles are muscles produce the extension of the forearm
the muscle , which contract to produce a given and the quardiceps femories muscle of thigh
movement , eg the bicep produces the flexion of produces the extension knee joint etc

c. the desired movement at the distal joint may

occure on a fixed bone.
d. Synergists When the prime movers cross more
than one joint is known as synergists. Certain
muscles prevent the undesired actions at the
proximate joints. Synergist muscles perform, or
help perform, the same set of joint motion as the
agonists. Synergists muscles act on movable joints.

Fixators :- These are groups of muscle , Which

stablizenthe proximal joint of the limb, So that
Chandan shah Page 3
 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6

Names of Skeletal Muscles

Skeletal muscles are named based on many different factors, including their location, origin and insertion,
number of origins, shape, size, direction, and function.
•Location. Many muscles derive their names from their anatomical region. The rectus abdominis and
transverse abdominis, for example, are found in the abdominal region. Some muscles, like the tibialis
anterior, are named after the part of the bone (the anterior portion of the tibia) that they are attached to.
•Origin and Insertion. Some muscles are named based upon their connection to a stationary bone (origin)
and a moving bone (insertion). These muscles become very easy to identify once you know the names of
the bones that they are attached to. Examples of this type of muscle include
the sternocleidomastoid (connecting the sternum and clavicle to the mastoid process of the skull) and the
occipitofrontalis (connecting the occipital bone to the frontal bone).
 
•Number of Origins. Some muscles connect to more than one bone or to more than one place on a bone, and
therefore have more than one origin. A muscle with two origins is called a biceps. A muscle with three
origins is a triceps muscle. Finally, a muscle with four origins is a quadriceps muscle.
•Shape, Size, and Direction. We also classify muscles by their shapes. For example, the deltoids have a delta
or triangular shape. The serratus muscles feature a serrated or saw-like shape. The rhomboid major is a
rhombus or diamond shape.
The size of the muscle can be used to distinguish between two muscles found in the same region. The
gluteal region contains three muscles differentiated by size—the gluteus maximus (large), gluteus
medius (medium), and gluteus minimus (smallest).
Finally, the direction in which the muscle fibers run can be used to identify a muscle. In the abdominal
region, there are several sets of wide, flat muscles. The muscles whose fibers run straight up and down
are the rectus abdominis, the ones running transversely (left to right) are the transverse abdominis, and
the ones running at an angle are the obliques.
• Function. Muscles are sometimes classified by the type of function that they perform. Most of the
muscles of the forearms are named based on their function because they are located in the same region
and have similar shapes and sizes. For example, the flexor group of the forearm flexes the wrist and the
fingers. The supinator is a muscle that supinates the wrist by rolling it over to face palm up. In the leg,
there are muscles called adductors whose role is to adduct (pull together) 

Chandan shah Page 4

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6

Different between voluntary and involuntary muscles.

Skeletal muscle Smooth muscle Cardiac muscle

Fixed the bony origins and Found in blood vessels and Muscle of heart not attached
insertions viscera to the bone
Cross striated present Non striated Cross striated present

Multinucleated cells Single nuclei and cells are Single nuclei and form a
composed of many parallel spindle shaped branching network joined
fibers. Cells are long and each other by intercalated
cylindrical often stretching discs.
whole length of muscle
Very long up to 30 πm with a 20- 500 πm long and 3-8 πm 85- 10 πm and approximately
diameter of 10- 100 πm in diameter 15 πm in diameters

Contraction fast Contraction very slow Contraction slow

Only contracts when motor Rhythmical contraction Contracts rhythmically and

neuron is activated spontaneously
Innervated by somatic nerves Innervated by autonomic Innervated by autonomic
nerves nerves
Sarcolemma is the cell Has no distinct sarcolemma Sarcolemma is the cell
membrane. but there is a fine membrane membrane intercalated disc
Endomysium covers and surrounding each fiber occurs at the z line of the
connects muscle fibers, sarcomere
Perimysium covers small
bundle of muscle fibers and
Epimysium covers whole
muscle

Chandan shah Page 5

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6

The main muscle of the face, Head and neck

Muscles Location Innervation Function

1. Occipito Frontalis Scalp VII cranial Eyebrow raising, help in facial
nerve(C.N.) expression
2. Corrugator Eyelid VII cranial Vertical wrinkle of forehead
supercilli nerve(C.N.)
Chandan shah Page 6
 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6
3. Orbicularis Oculi Encircle theeye and VII cranial Winkinng(Closes lids lightly
eyelid nerve(C.N.) and blinking)
4. Levator Palpebrae Eyelid III C. N. Raised eyelid

5. Orbicularis Oris Surrounds the mouth VII C.N. Closes and purses mouth
6. Buccinator Cheek VII C.N. Flattens cheek against gums
and teeth, smiling, helps in
chewing
7. Platysma Side of mouth VII C.N. Pull angle of mouth
downwards in horror or
surprise.
8. Muscles of
Mastication
a) Masseter Extends from the V CN (Mandibular Elevation of jaw(Mouth
zygomatic arch to the branch) closing)
angle of the jaw.
b) Temporalis Extends from squamous V CN (Mandibular Elevation of jaw(Mouth
posterior of temporal branch) closing)
bone to coronoid process
of mandible.
c) Medial pterygoid Extends from the V CN (Mandibular Elevation of jaw(Mouth
maxilla to the medial branch) closing)
surface of angle of
mandible.
d) Lateral pterygoid Extends from the lateral V CN (Mandibular Depression of jaw(Opening of
pter- ygoid to the neck branch) mouth)
of mandible.
e) Strenocleido Side of neck XI C. N. Asssists in turning of head and
mastoid flexion of the neck
f) Trapezius Back of neck and of Spinal part of XI Shrugging.
shoulder. C.N branches of C3
, C4

Muscle of the Back

Chandan shah Page 7

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6

Muscles Location Innervation Function

1.Lastissimus Back and thoracic , Thoraco- Dorsal nerves Adduction, Extension,
lumber and sacral medial rotation of upper
region limbs
2. Levator Cervical region Branches or C3, C4, C5 Helps in elevation of
Scapuli scapula.

3.Rhomboideus Thoracic region Dorsal scapula nerve Retract the scapula and
minor and major steady it
4. Sacro spinalis Back in between Spinal nerve dorsal rami Backward flexion and
vertebra extension of the vertebral
colum
5. Quodratus Back Spinal nerves dorsal rami Assist in fixing the lower
ribs during respiration.
- Backward
extension of
vertebral column.

Muscles of the shoulder

Chandan shah Page 8

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6

Muscles Location Innervation Function

1.Supraspinatus Back of the scapula Suprascapular nerve Abduction of arm
2.Infraspinatus Back of the scapula Suprascapular nerve Abduction of arm and
lateral rotationSame as
infraspinatus
3.Teres minor Back of the scapula Axillary nerve Same as Infraspinatus
4.Subscapularis In front of scapula Subscapular nerve Medial rotation and
adduction of arm
5.Teres major Back of the scapula Subascapular nerve Same as subscapularis.

Muscles of the pectoral Region

Muscles Location Innervation Function

1.Pectoralis major Chest Pectoral nerve Adduction and nedial
rotation, flexion of
shoulder
Chandan shah Page 9
 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6
2.Pectoralis minor Beneath the major Pectoral nerve Depress the shoulder
3.Serratus anterior Chest C5, C6, C7 Pushing and punching
chest movement

Muscles of the Respiration

Muscles Location Innervation Function
1.Internal intercostals Chest wall Intercostal nerve Expiration
muscle
2.Diaphragm Between the thoracic and Phrenic Inspiration
abdominal cavity
3.External inter costal Chest wall Intercostal nerve Inspiration
nerve

Muscles of the Abdominal wall

Muscles Location Innervation Function

1.Rectus abdominalis Anterior abdominal Intercostals nerves(6 Forms anterior
wall to 12) abdominal wall
Compression of
abdominal wall
2.External oblique Anterior abdominal Intercostals nerves(6 Forms anterior
wall to 12) abdominal wall
Compression of
abdominal wall
3.Internal oblique Anterior abdominal Intercostals nerves(6 Forms anterior
wall to 12) abdominal wall
Compression of
abdominal wall
4.Transversus Anterior abdominal Intercostals nerves(6 Forms anterior
abdominalis wall to 12) abdominal wall
Compression of
abdominal wall

Chandan shah Page 10

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6
5.lliopsoas Posterior abdominal Femoral and lumber Flexes thigh and trunk
wall nerve

Muscles of the Upper limbs

Muscles Location Innervation Function

1.Deltoid muscle Shoulder Axillary nerve All movement of the

shoulder joint except
adduction
2.Biceps brachii Front of the arm Musculo cutaneous Flexes the elbow and
strong supinator when
the forearm is flexed
3.Brachialis Front of the arm Musculo cutaneous Flexes pronated
forearm
4.Coracobrachialis Front of the arm Musculo cutaneous Flexes the arm
5.Triceps Back of the arm Radial nerve Extension of elbow
6.Brachioradialis Lateral aspect of fore Radial nerve Flexes the elbow
arm
7.Pronator teres Front of forearm Medial nerve Supinates forearm
8.Supinator Front of forearm Radial nerve Supinates forearm
9.Flexion digitorum Front of forearm Medial nerve Chief gripper
profundus

Chandan shah Page 11

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6
10.Flexion carpi Front of forearm Medial nerve Flexes the wrist and
radialis elbow abducts the
wriats
11.Flexor carpi Medial fprearm Ulnar nerve Flexes and abducts
ulnaris hand
12.Extensor carpi Posterior forearm Radial nerve Flexes and abducts
radialis hand
13.Extensor carpi Posterior forearm Radial nerve Flexes and abducts
ulnaris hand
14.Palmoris longus Front of forearm Medial nerve Flexes hand.

Muscles of the Lower limbs

Muscles Location Innervation Function

1.Gluteal maximus Buttocks Inferior gluteal nerve Extension of thigh

and abduction of
thigh
2.Gluteus medius Buttocks Superior gluteal Powerful abductor of
nerve thigh
3.Gluteus minimus Buttocks Superior gluteal Powerful abductor of
nerve thigh
4.Sartorius Anterior of thigh Femoral nerve Palathi posture
5.Quadriceps femoris Anterior aspect Femoral nerve Extends the leg and
a) Rectus femoris of thigh flexes the thigh
b) Vastus Lateralis
c) Vastus medialis
d) Vastus intermedius

Chandan shah Page 12

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6
6.Harmstring group Posterior aspect Sciatic nerve Flexes the leg
a) Bicep femoris of thigh
b) Semitemdinous
c) Semimembranous
7.Adductor Medial aspect of Obturator nerve Adduction of thigh
a) Adductor longus thigh and flexion and
b) Adductos brevis lateral rotation of
c) Adducter magnus thigh
8.Gracilis Medial aspect of Obturator nerve Flexion and medial
thigh rotation of thigh

Muscles of the Leg

Muscles Location Innervation Function

1.Tibialis anterioe Anterior aspects of leg Deep peronial nerve Dorsal flexion and
inversion of foot
2.Extension hallucis Anterior aspects of leg Deep peronial nerve Dorsal flexion and
inversion of foot
3.Extensor gigitorus Anterior aspects of leg Deep peronial nerve Dorsal flexion and
longus inversion of foot
4.Gastrocnemius Posterior aspects of leg Tibial nerve Planter flexion of foot

5.Soles Posterior aspects of leg Tibial nerve Planter flexion of foot

6.Peroneous longus Posterior aspects of leg Superficial peronial Enverts the foot
are brevis nerve

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor

Chandan shah Page 13

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6

Muscles Location Innervation Function

1.Levator Pelvic floor A branch of S4 nerve Forms of floor of the

-Pudendal nerve pelvic cavity
-Support pelvic organs
2.Coccygeus Pelvic floor A branch of S4 nerve Forms of floor of the
-Pudendal nerve pelvic cavity
-Support pelvic organs

Principle skeletal muscle

A. Principle of mechanics
i) Lever:- A rigid bar that moves about a fixed point known as fulcrum , a small forced is applied
through a large distance and other ends of the lever exerts a large force over a small distance
over a small distance. The musculoskeletal system operates through lever system are:
(a) First class lever:- Fulcrum between resistance and effort eg:- scissors, hemostat, bending
head backward or forward.
(b) Second class :- Resistance between fulcrum and effort eg:- Wheel barrow, Oxygen tank
carrier
(c) Third class lever:- Effort between resistance and fulcrum eg:- forceps, bending over and
using your back muscles to lift an object with your hips acting as the fulcrum, swinging the
arm when using a tennis racquet.
ii) Pully:- Can multiply force at the expense of distance, the use of a number of pulleys together , as in a
block &tackle provide a mechanical advantage equal to the number of ropes excluding the pull ropes
gives a mechanical advantage of two, eg:-traction to apply tension in back injury,
iii) Center of gravity:- In human , the center is in the pelvic cavity and for upright balance the line drawn
from this point to the ground must fall somewhere the legs e.g.
 When lifting a client, the back should be kept straight to keep torque at a
minimum in addition, when bending over the body’s center of gravity shifts

Chandan shah Page 14

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6
from a stable position outside the legs, the back muscle must then work even
harder to prevent the body from topping over
 When walking and carrying a load , the load should be came as close to the
body(center of gravity) as possible to maintain balance and to avoid strain.
B. Alkali earth metals
(i) Magnesium:- Activator of many enzymes, present in bones.
(ii) Calcium
 Give hardness of bone and teeth by forming phosphate, carbonate and fluoride
salt.
 Important in muscle contraction ATP must combine with calcium before its
energy can be used to slide action and myosin filaments together,
 Extra cellular calcium concentration must be precisely regulated for normal body
function : hypocalcaemia may cause tetany, hypocalcaemia can result in
depression of the nervous system.

C. Halogens
i. Fluorine:- Prevents tooth decay when added to water supply.

D. Metal
I. Silver: Filling for teeth , surgical mending of bones
II. Gold:- Filling of teeth.

Disorders (Introduction only)

Myasthenia gravis
• A condition causing abnormal weakness of certain muscles.
or
• A rare chronic autoimmune disease marked by muscular weakness without atrophy, and caused by a
defect in the action of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions.
•  In the most common cases, muscle weakness is caused by circulating antibodies that block
acetylcholine receptors at the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction, inhibiting the excitatory effects of
the neurotransmitter acetylcholine on nicotinic receptors at neuromuscular junctions. Alternatively, in a
much rarer form, muscle weakness is caused by a genetic defect in some portion of the neuromuscular
junction that is inherited at birth as opposed to developing through passive transmission from the
mother's immune system at birth or through autoimmunity later in life.

Chandan shah Page 15

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6

• Myasthenia is treated with medications such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or immunosuppressants,

and in selected cases, thymectomy (surgical removal of the thymus gland). The disease is diagnosed in 3
to 30 people per million per year.
•  Diagnosis is becoming more common due to increased awareness.

Muscular dystrophy
• A hereditary condition marked by progressive weakening and wasting of the muscles.
• Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of muscle diseases that weaken the musculoskeletal system and
hamper locomotion (walking or moving in some way).  Muscular dystrophies are characterized by
progressive skeletal muscle weakness, defects in muscle proteins, and the death of muscle
cells and tissue.
Signs and symptoms
• Progressive muscular wasting ,Poor balance, Drooping eyelids, Atrophy, Scoliosis (curvature of the
spine and the back), Inability to walk, Frequent falls, Waddling gait, Calf deformation, Limited range of
movement, Respiratory difficulty, Joint contractures, Cardiomyopathy, Arrhythmias, Muscle spasms,
Gowers' sign etc
Note :- (Gowers' sign is a medical sign that indicates weakness of the proximal muscles, namely those of the
lower limb. The sign describes a patient that has to use their hands and arms to "walk" up their own body from
a squatting position due to lack of hip and thigh muscle strength.)
• There is no specific treatment for any of the forms of muscular dystrophy, Physical
therapy, occupational therapy, orthotic intervention (e.g., ankle-foot orthosis), speech therapy and
orthopedic instruments (e.g., wheelchairs, standing frames and powered mobile arm supports) may be
helpful. Inactivity (such as bed rest, sitting for long periods) and bodybuilding efforts to increase
myofibrillar hypertrophy can worsen the disease.
• Physiotherapy, aerobic exercise, nutrient supplements such as, Vitamin D3, Calcium, Whey
protein, Meat etc. may help to prevent contractures and maintain muscle tone. Orthoses (orthopedic
appliances used for support) and corrective orthopedic surgery may be needed to improve the quality of

Chandan shah Page 16

 Introduction of muscular system UNIT -6
life in some cases. The cardiac problems that occur with Emery-Dreifuss muscular
dystrophy and myotonic muscular dystrophy may require a pacemaker. medications such as quinine,
phenytoin, or mexiletine, but no actual long term treatment has been found.
• Occupational therapy assists the individual with MD to engage in activities of daily living (such as self-
feeding and self-care activities) and leisure activities at the most independent level possible.

Importants questions:-
 Describe the functions of muscular tissue.
 List the three kinds of muscles tissue and explain the functions of any one of them.
 Different between voluntary and involuntary muscles.
 List and explain the different types of muscular tissue and clear diagram of each.

Chandan shah Page 17