Study guides

Muscular system:

  • List the functions of skeletal muscle.

  • Describe the four functional characteristics of muscle tissue.

  • Identify and describe the connective tissue sheaths: epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium.

  • Describe the gross anatomy of skeletal muscle.

  • Define: tendon, ligament and aponeurosis.

  • Describe the microscopic anatomy of muscle fibers. Include the structure and function of the sarcolemma, sarcoplasmic reticulum, terminal cisternae, transverse tubules, myofibrils, sarcomeres (z-lines, H-band, M band, A-band, I-band) and myofilaments (actin, tropomyosin, troponin, myosin).

  • Describe the structure of the neuromuscular junction: axon terminal, synaptic cleft, and motor end plate.

  • Explain the role of myosin, actin, sarcoplasmic reticulum (terminal cisternae), transverse tubules, T-T complex, calcium and ATP in the sliding filament theory.

  • Define motor unit.

  • Define origin and insertion.

  • Define agonist (prime mover), antagonist, synergist, and fixator.

  • List the 7 criteria used in naming skeletal muscles and be able to recognize examples of each.

  • Describe the arrangement of muscle fascicles in various muscle types (parallel, convergent, pennate, circular) and compare their functional differences).

  • Distinguish between mechanical advantage and mechanical disadvantage.

  • Describe the three different classes of levers and how they work.

Axial muscles:

  • Name and describe the structure and location of the muscles of the axial musculature, including:

    • Muscles of Facial Expression

    • Muscles of Mastication

    • Tongue Muscles

    • Anterior Neck Muscles

    • Trunk and Back Muscles

  • Learn the origin, insertion, and action of select muscles as indicated in the lab manual/lecture videos.

Appendicular muscles:

  • Name and describe the structure and location of the muscles of the appendicular musculature, including:

    • Muscles that position the Pectoral Girdle

    • Muscles that move the Shoulder Joint

    • Muscles that move the Elbow Joint

    • Muscles of the Forearm

    • Muscles that move the Hip Joint

    • Muscles that move the Knee Joint

    • Muscles that move the Ankle Joint, Foot & Toes

  • Learn the origin, insertion, and action of select muscles as indicated in the lab manual/lecture videos.

Endocrine:

  • Compare and contrast endocrine and exocrine glands: what does each secrete? What role do ducts play? Explain?

  • List the exocrine glands you know and what they secrete. Can you name seven?

  • What organs are both exocrine and endocrine glands? Explain why they can be both.

  • Describe the role of hormones and explain how they affect target cells, including the difference between steroid and protein hormones.

  • Describe the three mechanisms of hormone release and give examples of each.

  • Define negative feedback and explain its role in regulating blood levels of various hormones: for example, blood calcium and glucose levels.

  • The hypothalamus plays a vital role as the link between the nervous and endocrine systems. In what three ways does the hypothalamus affect hormone levels?

  • What gland used to be called the “master gland”? Why don’t we call it that anymore? What do “flagtops” have to do with this gland?

  • For each of the major endocrine organs, describe their location, the hormones they secrete, and the hormone’s general function.

  • Describe the histology of the following glands: anterior pituitary, posterior pituitary, thyroid gland, pancreas, and the adrenal cortex.