Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology - Muscle Tissue

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts about muscle tissue, its structure, functions, and mechanisms in physiology.

What are the primary types of muscle tissue?

Skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, smooth muscle.

List the functions of skeletal muscles.

1. Produce skeletal movement, 2. Maintain body position, 3. Support soft tissues, 4. Guard body openings, 5. Maintain body temperature.

Name the three layers of connective tissues in muscles.

Epimysium, perimysium, endomysium.

What is the role of the epimysium?

It is the exterior collagen layer that connects to deep fascia and separates the muscle from surrounding tissues.

What is the function of the perimysium?

It surrounds muscle fiber bundles (fascicles) and contains blood vessels and nerve supply to those fascicles.

What does the endomysium surround?

It surrounds individual muscle cells (muscle fibers) and contains capillaries, nerve fibers, and satellite cells.

What forms the connective tissue attachment to bone?

The endomysium, perimysium, and epimysium come together at the ends of muscles to form tendons or aponeurosis.

What are muscle fibers developed from?

Muscle fibers develop through the fusion of mesodermal cells called myoblasts.

What is the sarcolemma?

The cell membrane of a muscle cell that surrounds the sarcoplasm and begins contractions.

What initiates muscle contraction?

A change in transmembrane potential.

What are the two types of myofilaments?

Thin filaments (actin) and thick filaments (myosin).

What is the sarcoplasmic reticulum's role?

It helps transmit action potential to myofibrils and surrounds each myofibril.

Define a sarcomere.

The contractile unit of muscle and structural unit of myofibrils.

What is the sliding filament theory?

The theory that thin filaments slide toward the M line between thick filaments during muscle contraction.

What is the neuromuscular junction?

The location where neural stimulation occurs, and action potentials travel along nerve axons to communicate with muscle fibers.

What are the two types of muscle contractions?

Isotonic contraction and isometric contraction.

What is an isometric contraction?

A contraction where skeletal muscle develops tension but is prevented from changing length.

What are some mechanisms by which muscle fibers obtain energy?

Muscle fibers utilize aerobic metabolism and anaerobic glycolysis to generate ATP.

What happens during muscle fatigue?

Depletion of metabolic reserves, damage to the sarcolemma, low pH from lactic acid, and muscle exhaustion.

What influences muscle performance?

Muscle power and endurance depend on types of muscle fibers and physical conditioning.

What are the three types of skeletal muscle fibers?

Fast fibers, slow fibers, and intermediate fibers.

How does muscle hypertrophy occur?

Through heavy training that increases the diameter of muscle fibers, myofibrils, and mitochondria.

What is muscle atrophy?

The reduction in muscle size, tone, and power due to lack of muscle activity.

What is the difference between anaerobic and aerobic endurance?

Anaerobic endurance relies on fast fibers and is improved by brief, intensive workouts; aerobic endurance uses mitochondria and is supported by oxygen for prolonged activities.