Chapter 6: The Skeletal Muscle System

Practice flashcards for understanding the skeletal muscle system, types of muscle tissues, and age-related changes and dysfunctions.

What are the key characteristics of skeletal muscle tissue?

Skeletal muscle is striated, voluntary, can be consciously controlled, contracts rapidly, tires easily, and is powerful.

What defines cardiac muscle tissue?

Cardiac muscle is found only in the heart, is striated, involuntary, and contracts at a steady rate due to its own pacemaker.

What type of muscle tissue is found in the walls of hollow organs?

Smooth muscle tissue.

What is the name of the muscle that performs the primary action in a movement?

Prime mover or agonist.

What is the role of antagonistic muscles?

Antagonistic muscles maintain body position and control rapid movements by performing actions opposite to the prime mover.

What happens to skeletal muscle mass as a person ages?

Skeletal muscle mass decreases, can lose up to 30% of fibers between the ages of 30 and 80.

What is Parkinson's disease and its effect on muscles?

A condition that causes uncontrollable contractions of skeletal muscles, resulting in tremors and rigidity, affecting normal muscular activities.

What causes muscle cramps?

Muscle cramps can be caused by low oxygen supply to the muscle, overstimulation from the nervous system, and low blood sugar, sodium, and/or calcium.

What is polymyositis?

An autoimmune disease causing inflammation of muscles, resulting in weakness primarily in hips, thighs, and neck muscles.

What characterizes polymyalgia rheumatica?

Bilateral pain and stiffness of the shoulders and thighs, more common in older adults and women, which responds well to corticosteroid treatment.