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Muscular System - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (22)

  • What are the three types of muscle tissue and where are they found?

    Skeletal muscle is voluntary and attached to bones, cardiac muscle is involuntary and found in the heart, and smooth muscle is involuntary and found in walls of hollow organs.

  • Define the muscular system.

    The muscular system consists of all the muscles in the body that enable movement, maintain posture, and produce heat.

  • What are endomysium, perimysium, and epimysium?

    Endomysium surrounds individual muscle fibers, perimysium surrounds bundles of fibers called fascicles, and epimysium surrounds the entire muscle.

  • What roles do tendons and aponeuroses play in muscle structure?

    Tendons connect muscle to bone, while aponeuroses are broad, flat sheets of connective tissue that also attach muscles to bones or other muscles.

  • Describe the microscopic structure of skeletal muscle.

    Skeletal muscle fibers contain myofibrils made of actin (thin) and myosin (thick) myofilaments responsible for contraction.

  • How is an action potential initiated in a muscle cell?

    An action potential is initiated when a motor neuron releases acetylcholine, triggering depolarization of the muscle cell membrane.

  • What are the main events of muscle cell contraction?

    Contraction involves calcium release, cross-bridge formation between actin and myosin, and ATP powered sliding of filaments.

  • Define graded response in skeletal muscle.

    A graded response is the varying strength of muscle contraction depending on stimulus frequency and intensity.

  • What is tetanus in muscle physiology?

    Tetanus is a sustained muscle contraction caused by rapid repeated stimuli without relaxation.

  • Differentiate isotonic and isometric contractions.

    Isotonic contractions change muscle length with movement; isometric contractions generate tension without changing length.

  • What is muscle tone?

    Muscle tone is the continuous, partial contraction of muscles to maintain posture and readiness.

  • Name three pathways for ATP regeneration during muscle activity.

    ATP is regenerated by direct phosphorylation, anaerobic glycolysis, and aerobic respiration.

  • Define oxygen deficit and muscle fatigue.

    Oxygen deficit is the extra oxygen needed after exercise to restore normal conditions; muscle fatigue is the inability to contract due to ATP depletion or lactic acid buildup.

  • What causes muscle fatigue?

    Causes include ATP depletion, lactic acid accumulation, ionic imbalances, and reduced neural stimulation.

  • How does aerobic exercise affect skeletal muscles?

    Aerobic exercise increases muscle endurance by enhancing oxygen delivery and mitochondrial efficiency.

  • What effects does resistance exercise have on muscles?

    Resistance exercise increases muscle size and strength by promoting muscle fiber hypertrophy.

  • Define origin and insertion in muscle anatomy.

    Origin is the fixed attachment point of a muscle; insertion is the movable attachment point.

  • What is a prime mover, antagonist, synergist, and fixator?

    Prime mover causes main movement; antagonist opposes it; synergist assists; fixator stabilizes origin.

  • List seven criteria used in naming muscles.

    Muscles are named by location, shape, size, direction of fibers, number of origins, location of attachments, and action.

  • Why is nerve supply important for muscle health?

    Nerve supply is essential for muscle contraction and maintaining muscle tone and health.

  • How does exercise help keep muscles healthy?

    Exercise improves muscle strength, endurance, and prevents atrophy by stimulating muscle fibers and blood flow.

  • What changes occur in aging muscle?

    Aging muscles show decreased mass, strength, and flexibility, with increased fatigue and slower repair.