Muscular System

Muscular System

The system responsible for movement, blood circulation, and heat production in the body.

Skeletal Muscles

Voluntary muscles attached to bones that facilitate movement.

Tendons

Connective tissues that attach muscles to bones.

Movement

The primary function of skeletal muscles, facilitated by contraction and relaxation.

Voluntary Movement

Movement that is consciously controlled by the nervous system.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue found in the heart that pumps blood.

Heat Production

Generated by muscle contractions as a byproduct of metabolism.

Blood Circulation

The process of pumping blood throughout the body to deliver nutrients and oxygen.

Muscle Contraction

The process when muscle fibers shorten and generate force.

Agonist Muscle

The muscle primarily responsible for producing a specific movement.

Antagonist Muscle

The muscle that opposes the action of the agonist.

Synergist Muscle

Muscles that assist the agonist in performing a movement.

Fixator Muscle

Muscles that stabilize the origin of the agonist to enhance the efficiency of the movement.

Neuromuscular Junction

A specialized synapse where a motor neuron communicates with a muscle fiber.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter released at the neuromuscular junction leading to muscle contraction.

Excitation-Contraction Coupling

The process converting an electrical action potential into mechanical muscle contraction.

Cross-Bridge Cycling

The process whereby myosin heads attach to actin filaments, generating muscle tension.

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

The specialized smooth endoplasmic reticulum in muscle fibers that stores calcium ions.

Motor Unit

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

Strain

An injury resulting from overstretching or tearing of muscle fibers or tendons.

Sprain

Injury to ligaments caused by excessive stretching or tearing.

Sarcopenia

The age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.

Myofibrils

Structures within muscle fibers that contain sarcomeres and are responsible for contraction.

Fibromyalgia

A chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

A systemic inflammatory disorder causing muscle pain and stiffness in older adults.

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune disorder leading to fluctuating muscle weakness.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Medications that increase acetylcholine availability at the neuromuscular junction.

Autorhythmicity

The inherent ability of cardiac muscle cells to initiate electrical impulses.

Gap Junctions

Specialized connections between cardiac muscle cells allowing coordinated contractions.

Isometric Contraction

Muscle contractions where the muscle length does not change, maintaining posture.

Concentric Contraction

Muscle contraction where the muscle shortens under tension.

Eccentric Contraction

Muscle contraction where the muscle lengthens while producing tension.

Ligaments

Tissue that connects bones to other bones at joints.

Tendon Injuries

Damage occurring to tendon fibers from overstretching or overexertion.

Elastic Components

Special structures within muscles that allow for passive tension during stretching.

Sarcomere

The basic contractile unit of muscle fibers composed of actin and myosin.

Reactive Hyperemia

Increased blood flow following occlusion, relevant in muscle recovery.

Motor Neurons

Nerve cells that innervate skeletal muscles, facilitating movement.

Antibody-mediated Disorders

Conditions where immune-mediated responses target acetylcholine receptors.

Corticosteroids

Medications commonly used to reduce inflammation in various musculoskeletal conditions.

Calcium Ions

Essential for muscle contraction, released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Voluntary Control

Control over muscular movements that is consciously exerted.

Involuntary Control

Control over muscle functions that occurs automatically, without conscious thought.

Muscle Hypertrophy

The increase in muscle size through exercise-induced growth.

Mitochondrial Biogenesis

The process of generating new mitochondria within muscle cells.

Proprioception

The sensory perception of body position and movement, important for balance.

Dorsiflexion

Movement of the foot that lifts the toes upward.

Plantar Flexion

Movement that points the toes downward.

The primary function of the __________ system is to maintain posture and produce movement.

muscular

__________ muscles are under voluntary control and are attached to bones.

Skeletal

Muscles contract and generate __________, a byproduct of metabolism.

heat

__________ refers to the ability of muscles to shorten and generate force.

Contraction

The __________ muscle tissue is involuntary and is found in the heart.

Cardiac

Tendons are made of __________ that attach muscles to bones.

connective tissue

__________ movement is controlled consciously by the nervous system.

Voluntary

Muscle fibers that shorten during contraction are said to undergo __________.

isometric contraction

In __________ contraction, the muscle lengthens while producing tension.

eccentric

__________ muscles assist the agonist in performing a movement.

Synergist

A __________ muscle opposes the action of the agonist.

antagonist

The __________ junction is where a motor neuron meets a muscle fiber.

neuromuscular

Acetylcholine (ACh) is a __________ released at the neuromuscular junction.

neurotransmitter

The __________ reticulum stores calcium ions within muscle fibers.

sarcoplasmic

__________ results from overstretching or tearing muscle fibers or tendons.

Strain

A __________ is an injury to ligaments due to excessive stretching.

sprain

Sarcopenia refers to the age-related loss of __________ and strength.

muscle mass

__________ are structures within muscle fibers responsible for contraction.

Myofibrils

__________ is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue.

Fibromyalgia

Muscle contractions where the muscle length does not change are called __________ contraction.

isometric

__________ is the increase in muscle size due to exercise.

Hypertrophy

The __________ is the basic contractile unit within muscle fibers.

sarcomere

__________ is a chronic condition affecting older adults with muscle pain.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

The process of muscle contraction is called - coupling.

excitation-contraction

__________ units consist of a motor neuron and all muscle fibers it innervates.

Motor

Calcium ions are released from the __________ reticulum during muscle contraction.

sarcoplasmic

Gap junctions enable __________ contractions in cardiac muscle cells.

coordinated

The __________ of muscle contraction where muscle shortens under tension is called concentric contraction.

type

__________ is the sensory perception of body position, vital for balance.

Proprioception

Reactive __________ is the increased blood flow following occlusion.

hyperemia

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors help increase the availability of __________ at the neuromuscular junction.

acetylcholine

__________ muscles stabilize the origin of the agonist for efficient movement.

Fixator

Muscle strength can be impaired by __________-mediated disorders affecting acetylcholine receptors.

antibody

__________ in muscle fibers generate new mitochondria and improve endurance.

Mitochondrial biogenesis

__________ refers to involuntary control over muscle functions.

Involuntary control

Skeletal muscles are critical for __________ and blood circulation.

movement

__________ are tissues connecting bones at joints.

Ligaments

The __________ system is essential for blood circulation and heat production.

muscular

Muscle contraction is also known as __________ tension generation.

force

__________ is the inherent ability of cardiac muscle cells to initiate electrical impulses.

Autorhythmicity

The __________ is the site of communication between motor neurons and muscle fibers.

neuromuscular junction

The __________ contraction is a type of extension that increases muscle tension without changing length.

isometric

Cardiac muscle has a unique property of __________ due to the presence of gap junctions.

syncytial contraction

__________ joints, connective tissue structures, connect skeletal muscles to bones.

Tendon

__________ fibers are responsible for quick, powerful muscle contractions for short activities.

Fast-twitch

Muscle tissue that does not fatigue easily and can sustain activity is called __________-twitch muscle.

slow

__________ should be minimized to prevent injury during athletic activities.

Strain

Muscle __________ involves rapid sequences of either concentric or eccentric contractions.

actions

Therapeutic __________ may be prescribed to alleviate inflammation in tendon injuries.

corticosteroids

A muscle's __________ affects its capacity to generate force and power during contraction.

cross-sectional area

____________ fibers contain myoglobin, which is important for oxygen transport during extended muscle activity.

Slow-twitch

What is the primary function of the muscular system?

The primary function of the muscular system is to maintain posture and produce movement.