A&P I Ch.10 & 11 Flashcards
Primary Functions of Skeletal Muscles
-movement
-support
-posture
-temperature regulation
-communication
Skeletal Muscle Function of Movement
- create movement by contracting
- pull on tendons which are connected to bones
Skeletal Muscle Function of Support
- muscles in abdominal wall support visceral organs
- shield tissue from injury
Skeletal Muscle Function of Posture
- muscles continuously contract to hold the body still, maintaining upright/ standing position
Skeletal Muscle Function of Temperature Regulation
- skeletal muscle is 40% of our body mass
- it has disproportionate effect on body temperature
Skeletal Muscle Function of Communication
- facillitates all modes of interpersonal communication
-e.g. speaking, typing, writing, facial expressions, and gestures
Functional Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle
-Contractibility
-Excitability
-Extensibility
-Elasticity
Functional Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle Contractibility
ability of muscle to shorten and produce tension at its ends
-pulls on tendons
Functional Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle Excitability
ability of a muscle fiber to respond rapidly to electrical or chemical signals (from neurons)
Functional Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle Extensibility
capacity of muscle to stretch to normal resting length and beyond after contraction
Functional Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle Elasticity
capacity of muscle to return to its normal resting length after a stretch
Plasticity
muscle’s ability to constantly adapt to stretching
Skeletal Muscle Macrostructure Red
muscle tissue
Skeletal Muscle Macrostructure White
tendons
What are the criteria for skeletal muscle naming?
-muscle action
-specific body regions
-muscle attachments
-orientation of muscle fibers
-muscle shape
-muscle size
-number of muscle heads at an attachment site
Muscle Action Meaning and Example
indicates muscle’s primary action
ex. flexor digitorum longus (flexes digits)
Specific Body Regions Meaning and Example
indicates muscle location
ex. rectus femoris is near the femur
Muscle Attachments Meaning and Example
indicates origins and/or insertions
ex. sternocleidomastoid originates on the sternum and clavicle and inserts into the mastoid process of the temporal bone
Orientation of Muscle Fibers Meaning and Example
indicates organization of muscle fascicles
ex. rectus abdominis is composed of fibers running in vertically straight (“rectus”) orientation
Muscle Shape Meaning and Example
ex. deltoid is like a triangular delta symbol
ex. abductor pollicis longus is a long tendon
Muscle Size Meaning and Example
ex. gluteus maximus is the largest of the buttocks muscles
Number of Muscle Heads at an Attachment Site Meaning and Example
indicates number of muscle bellies or heads each contains at the superior or proximal attachment site
ex. triceps brachii has three heads
Three concentric layers of wrapping connective tissue components
-epimysium
-perimysium
-endomysium
Epimysium
-dense irregular tissue wrapping whole muscle
-fibrous connective tissue sheath that surrounds the entire muscle