Muscular System Terminology, Tissue, and Mechanics

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the muscular system, its types, functions, mechanics, and terminology as discussed in the lecture.

Myo / Miss

Prefix meaning muscle.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the chemical energy used by muscle tissue to exert force.

Skeletal Muscle

Type of muscle that is attached to bones and is under voluntary control.

Cardiac Muscle

Muscle found only in the heart, under involuntary control, striated, and displays autorhythmicity.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle found in the walls of organs, has elongated cells without striations.

Sarcomeres

Contractile units of skeletal and cardiac muscle, responsible for muscle contraction.

Peristalsis

The wave-like motion generated by smooth muscle contraction to move contents through an organ.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions, including smooth muscle contraction.

Motor Unit

A single neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates.

Isometric Contraction

Muscle contraction with no movement, where muscle tension is equal to force.

Concentric Contraction

Muscle contraction where the muscle shortens while generating tension.

Eccentric Contraction

Muscle contraction where the muscle lengthens while developing tension.

Prime Mover

Also known as agonist, the muscle primarily responsible for a specific movement.

Antagonist

Muscle that opposes a specific movement, usually relaxed when the agonist is active.

Lever System

A mechanical system where bones act as levers, joints as fulcrums, with muscles providing the effort.