Muscular System

The system in the body composed of muscle cells and tissues that brings about movement of an
organ or body part. There are three kinds of muscle: skeletal muscle, which is attached to bones
and allows the voluntary movement of limbs; smooth muscle, which is found in internal organs
and aids in the involuntary movements that occur in the circulatory, digestive, excretory,
reproductive, and respiratory systems; and cardiac muscle, which forms the powerful walls of the
heart.

Muscles
Muscles are body tissues that provide the force for all body movements. They are made of
special types of cells. For details of structure and types of muscles, please see the basic anatomy
article

Types of muscles

 Skeletal Muscles
Skeletal muscles form most of the human body weight. They are under the control of
human will and all body movements occurring by our will are produced by skeletal
muscles. They are called skeletal muscles because they are almost always found attached
to the skeleton and produce movements in different parts of the skeleton.
 Smooth Muscles
Smooth muscles form the soft body organs like stomach, intestine, blood vessels etc.
They are not under the will of human beings and are responsible for unconscious body
activities like digestion of food. They are called smooth muscles because when seen
under the microscope, they do not have any striation in contrast to the other two types of
muscles.
 Cardiac Muscles
Cardiac muscles are exclusively found in human heart and no where else. They are
extremely strong and powerful muscles. They are not under the control of human will and
are involuntary. The pumping of blood by human heart is because of the force provided
by the contraction of cardiac muscles.
 Functions of Muscular System

 HEAT PRODUCTION
A large share of body’s energy is used by muscular system. As a result of high metabolic
rate, muscles produce great amount of heat in the body. Heat produced by muscles is very
important in cold climates.
 CIRCULATION
Cardiac muscles provide the main force for circulation of blood throughout human body.
The regular pumping of heat keeps the blood in motion and nutrients are readily available
to every tissue of human body.
 Help In Digestion
Smooth muscles of organs like stomach and intestine help the digestive system in the
process of digestion of food.
 STABILITY AND POSTURE
Skeletal muscles stabilize human skeleton and give a proper posture to human beings.
Some joints of human body are weak and they require the support of muscular system to
achieve stability. Skeletal muscles are very important for such joints.
 MOVEMENTS OF BODY PARTS
Skeletal muscles are responsible for all voluntary movements of human body parts. They
provide the force by contracting actively at the expense of energy. In other words,
muscles are motors of body where chemical energy of food is converted into mechanical
work.
 DESEASES OF MUCLES
Muscular Dystrophy
This is a genetic disease of a group of inherited muscle disease that cause damage to muscle
fibers. The symptoms of muscular dystrophy disease include weakness, loss of mobility and lack
of coordination. The most common diseases classified as muscular dystrophy are Duchenne,
Becker, limb girdle, congenital, facioscapulohumeral, myotonic, oculopharyngeal, distal, and
Emery-Dreifuss. The basic fact about muscular dystrophy is that there is no specific cure for
muscular dystrophy.

Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy is one of the diseases that affects the muscular system, where a persons posture,
balance and motor functions are affected. Brain damage during or before childbirth causes loss of
muscle tone, causing problems carrying out physical tasks in children. It is one of the most
common congenital disorders.

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva

This is a very rare congenital disorder that causes the soft tissues to become hard like bones
permanently. This causes the muscles, tendons, ligaments as well as other connective tissues to
grow bones between the joints. Thus, leading to permanent restriction of movement. There is no
effective Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) treatment and pain is controlled using
medications.

Dermatomyositis
The inflammatory myopathy that leads to chronic muscle and skin inflammation is called
dermatomyositis. This is a progressive autoimmune disease of the connective tissues that causes
muscle weakness. The dermatomyositis symptoms include muscle pain, hardened calcium
deposits under the skin, gastrointestinal ulcers, intestinal perforations, lung problems, fever,
fatigue and weight loss. It leads to a red or violet colored skin rash on the face, hands, knees,
chest and back. There is no cure for this progressive muscle weakness but can be controlled using
corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs.

Compartment Syndrome
Chronic compartment syndrome caused by compression of the blood vessels, nerves and muscles
within a closed area of the body. This causes tissue death due to lack of oxygen. The
compartment syndrome symptoms include severe muscle pain, feeling of tightness in muscles,
paresthesia, paralysis, etc. Treatment involves immediate surgical treatment, called fasicotomy.
This helps in relieving the pressure on the muscles and helping them become normal again.

Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness and
fatigue. There is a breakdown of the neuromuscular junction and thus, brain loses control over
these muscles. The myasthenia gravis symptoms and signs include drooping eyelids, difficulty
swallowing, muscle fatigue, breathing difficulty, inability to control facial expressions, etc.
Medications and surgical intervention are a part of myasthenia gravis treatment.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a serious neurodegenerative disease. This disease is also known
as the Lou Gehrig's disease. In this disease, the motor neurons destroy that leads to loss of control
over voluntary muscle movement. The early symptoms of ALS include difficulty to swallow,
breath and speak. Paralysis is an advanced Lou Gehrig's disease symptom.

Mitochondrial Myopathies
Mitochondrial myopathies is a condition where the mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells, is
damaged. The symptoms of this neuromuscular disease include muscle weakness, heart rhythm
abnormalities, deafness, blindness and heart failure. In some cases, it leads to seizures, dementia,
drooping eyelids and vomiting. Other symptoms include breathing difficulty, nausea and
headache.

Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition where there is rapid skeletal muscle destruction. This causes the
muscle fibers to breakdown into myoglobin that is released into the urine. This leads to kidney
failure as myoglobin is dangerous to the kidney. Rhabdomyolysis symptoms include muscle
weakness, stiffness, and pain. If detected early, there is a possibility of rhabdomyolysis treatment.
Treatment includes use of intravenous fluid, dialysis as well as hemofiltration in severe cases.

Polymyositis
Polymyositis is an inflammatory and degenerative muscular system disease. This is a systemic
connective tissue disease that causes symmetric weakness and muscle atrophy to some extent.

Fibromyalgia
The debilitating, chronic muscle disorder is called fibromyalgia. It is characterized by pain,
fatigue and many other symptoms like tenderness and stiffness of the muscles. It is seen affecting
more women than men and is thought to be a genetic condition.

Myotonia
Myotonia is a condition where the muscles relax slowly after contraction and stimulation. The
symptoms of myotonia include trouble while releasing a grip, walking and difficulty in getting up
after sitting or sleeping. Medications, anticonvulsants and physical therapy is involved in
treatment of myotonia.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic muscle pain disorder. It is characterized by aches, pain
and burning sensation around sensitive points of the muscles called the trigger points. One may
also feel joint stiffness, area of tension like a knot and sleep problems due to severe pain. Use of
corticosteroids, botulism toxin injections, massage therapy and physical therapy help in
management of myofascial pain syndrome.