THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM

(FRANCIS)

What is the function of the muscular system?

Muscles have a range of functions from pumping blood and supporting movement to lifting
heavy weights or giving birth. Muscles work by either contracting or relaxing to cause
movement. This movement may be voluntary (meaning the movement is made consciously) or
done without our conscious awareness (involuntary).
(JAYRA)

The 5 main functions of the muscular system

1. Movement

 Skeletal muscles pull on the bones causing movements at the joints.

 Skeletal muscles pull on the soft tissues of the face causing facial expressions.
 Movement caused by the respiratory muscles enables breathing.

2. Support

 Muscles of the body wall support the internal organs.

 As these muscles lose their tone, the internal organs of the abdominal-pelvic cavity may bulge
outward as seen in some individuals as they age.

3. Protection

 Skeletal muscles, particularly of the body wall, cushion the body's internal organs
(abdominal cavity) from force applied to the exterior of the body.

4. Heat generation

 Heat is a waste product of muscle metabolism, which helps maintain an internal body
temperature of 98.6 F.
 Shivering is a mechanism of the muscular system that generates heat to warm an overly cooled
body.

5. Blood circulation

 Cardiac muscles aid pumping action of the heart by aiding blood circulation.

(LESLY)
What are the types of muscles in the muscular system?
Skeletal muscles: These create movement in the body. There are nearly 700
skeletal muscles and make up about 40% of a person’s body weight.
Smooth muscles: These are involuntary muscles that line the walls of the blood
vessels and viscera (organs in the abdominal cavity).
Cardiac muscles: These cause the heart to contract and expand properly.

What are the functions of skeletal muscle fibers?

Skeletal muscle fibers are categorized into two types, slow-twitch fiber and fast-
twitch fiber. These perform different functions:
Slow-twitch fibers
 Contract at a slow rate.
 Play a vital role in endurance or aerobic activities such as cross-country or
long-distance races.
Fast-twitch fibers
 Contract at a fast rate.
 Produce explosive power and perform fast repetitive contractions.
 Mainly used in 100-meter races or sprints, high jumps, weightlifting,
basketball and football.
 Play a vital role in performing anaerobic activities.
(KHAIRA)
What is an oblique muscle?
 The oblique muscles consist of external oblique muscle and internal oblique
muscle. They are a group of muscles of the abdomen (belly) acting together
forming a firm wall.

What is the external oblique muscle?

 The external oblique muscle is the outermost muscle located on both sides of
the trunk. The muscle fibers lie beneath the thoracic (chest) and abdominal
skin originating from the lower ribs to the pelvis (hip bone). The muscular
part makes up the lateral part of the abdominal wall.
What is the internal oblique muscle?
  It is a broad, thin muscular sheet found on the sides of the abdomen arranged
perpendicular (at right angles) and deep to the external oblique muscle. It
has multiple sites of origin and is divided into anterior (front) fibers,
posterior (hind) fibers, and lateral (sideways) fibers according to its origin
sites.
Causes of Muscle Weakness
 Getting Older
 Cold or Flu
 Muscle Injury
 Multiple Sclerosis
 Stroke
(FRANCIS)
What You Can Do to avoid muscle weakness
Whether your muscle weakness happens because you're not as active, or it's due to
age or a health problem, regular exercise may help you regain some strength. Ask
your doctor for advice, or consider seeing a physical therapist to help you find a
healthy exercise routine. As you get older, regular exercise also can help prevent or
slow muscle loss and weakening.