Muscular System Basics

Key Muscle Terminology

• Important muscle-related terms: smooth muscle, striated muscle, tendon, voluntary muscle.

• These terms should be added to your enums or glossary for clarification.

Basic Structures and Facts of the Muscular System

• Muscles are the primary structures of the muscular system.

• There are approximately 650 muscles in the human body.

Largest Muscle: Gluteus Maximus

• The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the human body.

• Location: Cushions and covers the backside.

• Function: Moves the hip and thigh.

Smallest Muscle: Stapedius

• The stapedius is the smallest muscle in the human body.

• Related to the smallest bone, stapes.

• Function: Supports the stapes bone and surrounding structures in the ear.

• Stabilizes the ear during loud noises.

Longest Muscle: Sartorius

• The sartorius is the longest muscle in the human body.

• Location: Runs from the front of the hip to the back of the knee.

• Function: Primarily moves the knee.

• Assists in the movement of the thigh.