Muscular System

Myology

The study of muscles.

Cardiac Muscle

Muscle tissue of the heart, involuntary, striated, intercalated discs, pumps blood

Skeletal Muscle

Muscles that are attached to bones and are under voluntary control.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle found in the walls of internal organs.

Sphincter

A circular muscle that constricts a passage or closes an opening.

Glycemic control

The management of blood glucose levels.

Endomysium

The connective tissue surrounding each individual muscle fiber.

Perimysium

The connective tissue surrounding a group of muscle fibers, forming fascicles.

Fascicles

Bundles of muscle fibers.

Epimysium

The connective tissue that surrounds an entire muscle.

Fascia

A band or sheet of connective tissue that supports muscles and organs.

Fusiform

Muscle shape that is tapered at both ends, resembling a spindle.

Parallel

Muscle fibers that run parallel to the length of the muscle.

Triangular

Muscle shape that is broad at one end and narrows to a point at the other.

Unipennate

A muscle with fibers that are oriented at an angle to a single side of a tendon.

Bipennate

A muscle with fibers that are oriented at angles to both sides of a central tendon.

Multipennate

A muscle with multiple bundles of fibers arranged at various angles to a central tendon.

Circular

Muscle fibers arranged in concentric rings, often acting as sphincters.

Tendon

A fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone.

Aponeurosis

A flat, broad sheet of connective tissue that connects muscles to each other or to bones.

Retinaculum

A band that holds tendons in place at the wrist or ankle.

Origin

The fixed attachment point of a muscle.

Belly

The central part of a muscle between the origin and insertion.

Insertion

The movable attachment point of a muscle.

Action

The specific movement that occurs when a muscle contracts.

Prime mover (agonist)

The muscle primarily responsible for a specific movement.

Synergist

A muscle that assists the prime mover in performing an action.

Antagonist

A muscle that opposes the action of another muscle.

Antagonistic pairs

Muscle pairs that work against each other for movement.

Fixator

A muscle that stabilizes a joint during movement.

Intrinsic muscles

Muscles located within a specific region, controlling movements within that area.

Extrinsic muscles

Muscles located outside of a specific region that control movements in that area.

Innervation

The supply of nerves to a muscle or body part.

Spinal nerves

Nerves that emerge from the spinal cord.

Plexus

A network of nerves.

Neuromuscular junction

The synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber.

Cranial nerves

Nerves that emerge directly from the brain.