Muscles Flashcards
What are muscles?
Effectors which enable movement to be carried out
Name the three types of muscles
Smooth muscle
Cardiac muscle
Skeletal muscle
Describe smooth muscle
- made from fusiform cells
- one nucleus per cell
- non straited
- involuntary
- slow wave-like contractions
- fatigue very slowly
Where are smooth muscles found and explain their function and each location
Circulatory system: helps in the circulation of the blood
Digestive system: controls digestive
Respiratory system: controls breathing
Urinary system: controls unrination
Describe cardiac muscles
- branched cells (interconnected)
- one/two nuclei per cell
- striated
- involuntary
- medium speed contractions
- found only in the heart
- contractions of the heart muscles pumps blood throughout the body and account for heartbeat
- healthy cardiac muscle never fatigues
Describe skeletal muscle
- long, cylindrical cells
- many nuclei per cell
- striated
- voluntary
- rapid contractions
- attached to skeleton by tendons
- causes movement of bones at the joint
- fatigue
What are voluntary muscles?
Muscles that can be moved at will
What are involuntary muscles?
Muscles that cannot be move intentionally
What are striated muscles?
Muscles that have stripes across the fibre
What are non-striated muscles?
Muscles that have no stripes across the fibre
Name the functions of muscles
Create movement
Maintains posture and muscle tone
Heat production
Protects the bones and internal organs
Movement of substances in the body
Explain how muscles produce movement
Muscles move bones by pulling not pushing as skeletal muscles can only shorten
What is synergist?
Any movement is generally accomplished by more than one muscle. All of the muscles responsible for the movement are synergists.
What is the agonist?
The muscle responsible for movement
(prime mover)
Contracts
What is the antagonist?
The muscle that opposes movement.
Relaxes
What are levators?
Muscles that raise a body part
Name the skeletal muscle actions
Extensor
Flexor
Adductor
Abductor
Levator
Depressor
Rotator
Sphincter
Describe extensor
Increasing the angle at a joint
Describe flexor
Decreasing the angle at a joint
Describe abductor
Moving limbs away from midline of the body
Describe adductor
Moving limbs towards midline of the body
Describe levator
Moving insertion upwards