muscle review

Aerobic

Referring to exercise or processes that require oxygen.

Anaerobic

Referring to exercise or processes that do not require oxygen.

Fascia

A connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs.

Tendon

A tough band of fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Ligament

A fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones.

Aponeurosis

A flattened tendon that connects muscle to muscle or muscle to bone.

Fascicle

A bundle of muscle fibers grouped together.

Epimysium

The outermost layer of connective tissue surrounding a muscle.

Perimysium

The connective tissue surrounding fascicles within a muscle.

Endomysium

The thin layer of connective tissue surrounding each muscle fiber.

Muscle fiber

The basic cellular unit of a muscle, also known as a myocyte.

Myofibrils

Long, thread-like structures within muscle fibers that are responsible for contraction.

Actin

A protein that forms thin filaments in muscle fibers and is involved in muscle contraction.

Myosin

A protein that forms thick filaments in muscle fibers and interacts with actin to facilitate contraction.

Sarcomere

The basic contractile unit of a muscle fiber.

Sarcolemma

The plasma membrane of a muscle cell.

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

A specialized form of endoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells that stores calcium ions.

Motor neuron

A nerve cell that conveys impulses to muscles, causing them to contract.

Motor unit

A single motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates.

Neuromuscular junction

The synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse; acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter for muscle contraction.

Synaptic cleft

The small gap between the motor neuron and the muscle fiber at the neuromuscular junction.

Contractility

The ability of muscle fibers to contract and generate force.

Excitability

The capacity of muscle or nerve cells to respond to stimuli.

Extensibility

The capability of muscle fibers to be stretched.

Elasticity

The ability of a muscle to return to its original shape after being stretched.

Atrophy

A decrease in muscle size, often due to lack of use.

Hypertrophy

An increase in muscle size due to exercise or resistance training.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that triggers muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction.

Cholinesterase

An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.

Calcium

A mineral essential for muscle contraction; released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Creatine Phosphate

A molecule that provides a rapid source of energy for muscle contraction.

Sarcoplasm

The cytoplasm of a muscle cell, containing myofibrils and other organelles.

T-tubules

Extensions of the sarcolemma that penetrate into the muscle fiber, facilitating the distribution of action potentials.

Troponin

A regulatory protein that binds calcium and helps control muscle contraction.

Tropomyosin

A protein that blocks the binding sites on actin when muscle is relaxed.

ATP

A molecule that provides energy for muscle contractions.

ADP-P

A molecule formed when ATP is hydrolyzed, releasing energy for muscle contraction.

Tendonitis

Inflammation of a tendon, often due to overuse.

Strain

An injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching.

Spasm

A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle.

Myalgia

Muscle pain.

Torticollis

A condition characterized by a twisted neck and contraction of neck muscles.

Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy

A genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.

Myasthenia gravis

An autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness and fatigue.

Tetanus

A bacterial infection that affects the nervous system, leading to painful muscle contractions.

Hernia

A condition where an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place.

Contracture

The permanent tightening of muscles or tendons leading to restricted movement.