Muscular System Anatomy Anatomy of the Muscular System

and Physiology
Functions of the Muscular System

Producing movement is a common function of all muscle types,

but skeletal muscle plays three other important roles in the body
as well.

1. Producing movement. Mobility of the body as a whole

reflects the activity of the skeletal muscles, which are
responsible for all locomotion; they enable us to respond
quickly to changes in the external environment.

2. Maintaining posture. We are rarely aware of the skeletal

muscles that maintain body posture, yet they function
almost continuously, making one tiny adjustment after
another so that we can maintain an erect or seated
posture despite the never-ending downward pull of
gravity.

3. Stabilizing joints. As the skeletal muscles pull Microscopic Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle
on bones to cause movements, they also stabilize the
joints of the skeleton; muscle tendons are extremely Skeletal muscle cells are multinucleate.
important in reinforcing and stabilizing joints that have ● Sarcolemma. Many oval nuclei can be seen just beneath
poorly fitting articulating surfaces. the plasma membrane, which is called the sarcolemma in
muscle cells.
4. Generating heat. The fourth function of muscle,
generation of body heat, is a by-product of muscle ● Myofibrils. The nuclei are pushed aside by long
activity; as ATP is used to power muscle contraction, ribbonlike organelles, the myofibrils, which nearly fill the
nearly three-quarters of its energy escape as heat and cytoplasm.
this heat is vital in maintaining normal body temperature.
● Light and dark bands. Alternating dark and light bands
along the length of the perfectly aligned myofibrils give
the muscle cell as a whole its striped appearance.
● Sarcomeres. The myofibrils are actually chains of tiny
contractile units called sarcomeres, which are aligned
end to end like boxcars in a train along the length of the
myofibrils.

● Myofilaments. There are two types of threadlike protein

myofilaments within each of our “boxcar” sarcomeres.

● Thick filaments. The larger, thick filaments, also

called myosin filaments, are made mostly of bundled
molecules of the protein myosin, but they also contain
ATPase enzymes, which split ATP to generate the power
for muscle contraction.

● Cross bridges. Notice that the midparts of the thick

filaments are smooth, but their ends are studded with
thick projections; these projections, or myosin beads,
are called cross bridges when they link the thick and thin Muscle Movements, Types, and Names
filaments together during contraction.
This section is a bit of a hodge-podge. It includes some topics
● Thin filaments. The thin filaments are composed of the
that don’t really fit together, but they don’t fit anywhere else any
contractile protein called actin, plus some regulatory
better.
proteins that play a role in allowing (or preventing)
myosin-bead binding to actin; the thin filaments, also
called actin filaments, are anchored to the Z disc (a Types of Body Movements
disclike membrane).
Every one of our 600-odd skeletal muscles is attached to bone,
● Sarcoplasmic reticulum. Another very important muscle or to other connective tissue structures, at no fewer than two
fiber organelle is the sarcoplasmic reticulum, a points.
specialized smooth endoplasmic reticulum; the
interconnecting tubules and sacs of the SR surround ● Origin. One of these points, the origin, is attached to the
each and every myofibril just as the sleeve of a loosely immovable or less movable bone.
crocheted sweater surrounds your arm, and its major role
is to store calcium and to release it on demand. ● Insertion. The insertion is attached to the movable bone,
and when the muscle contracts, the insertion moves
toward the origin.
● Flexion. Flexion is a movement, generally in the sagittal
plane, that decrease the angle of the joint and brings
 two bones closer together; it is a type of hinge joints, but palm faces posteriorly. Opposition. In the palm of the
it is also common at ball-and-socket joints. hand, the saddle joint between metacarpal 1 and the
carpals allows opposition of the thumb.
● Extension. Extension is the opposite of flexion, so it is a
movement that increases the angle, or the distance,
between two bones or parts of the body. Interactions of Skeletal Muscles in the Body
● Rotation. Rotation is movement of a bone around a Muscles are arranged in such a way that whatever one muscle
longitudinal axis; it is a common movement of can do, other muscles can reverse. Because of this, muscles
ball-and-socket joints. are able to bring about an immense variety of movements.
● Prime mover. The muscle that has the major
● Abduction. Abduction is moving the limb away from the responsibility for causing a particular movement is called
midline, or median plane, of the body. the prime mover.
● Adduction. Adduction is the opposite of abduction, so it ● Antagonists. Muscles that oppose or reverse a
is the movement of a limb toward the body midline. movement are antagonists; when a prime mover is
active, its antagonist is stretched and relaxed.
● Circumduction. Circumduction is a combination of
flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction commonly ● Synergists. Synergists help prime movers by producing
seen in ball-and-socket joints; the proximal end is the same movement or by reducing undesirable
stationary, and its distal end moves in a circle. movements.

Special Movements ● Fixators. Fixators are specialized synergists; they hold a

bone still or stabilize the origin of a prime mover so all
tension can be used to move the insertion bone.
Certain movements do not fit into any of the previous categories
and occur at only a few joints.
● Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. Lifting the foot so that Naming Skeletal Muscles
its superior surface approaches the shin is
called dorsiflexion, whereas depressing the foot is Like bones, muscles come in many shapes and sizes to suit
called plantar flexion. their particular tasks in the body.

● Inversion and eversion. To invert the foot, turn the sole ● Direction of the muscle fibers. When a muscle’s name
medially; to evert the foot, turn the sole laterally. includes the term rectus (straight) its fibers run parallel to
that imaginary line; the term oblique as part of a muscle’s
● Supination and pronation. Supination occurs when name tells you that the muscle fibers run obliquely (at a
the forearm rotates laterally so that the palm faces slant) to the imaginary line.
anteriorly and the radius and ulna are parallel; pronation
occurs when the forearm rotates medially so that the
● Relative size of the muscle. Such terms as maximus Arrangement of Fascicles
(largest), minimus (smallest), and longus (long) are often
used in the names of muscles.
Skeletal muscles consists of fascicles, but fascicle arrangement
● Location of the muscle. Some muscles are named for
vary, producing muscles with different structures and functional
the bone with which they are associated; for example, the
properties.
temporalis and frontalis muscles overlie the temporal and
frontal bones of the skull.
● Circular. The pattern is circular when the fascicles are
● Number of origins. When the term biceps, triceps, or arranged in concentric rings; circular muscles are
quadriceps forms part of a muscle name, one can typically found surrounding external body openings which
assume that the muscle has two, three, or four origins. they close by contracting.
● Location of the muscle’s origin and
insertion. Occasionally, muscles are named for their ● Convergent. In convergent muscle, the fascicles
attachment sites. converge toward a single insertion tendon; such a muscle
● Shape of the muscle. Some muscles have a distinctive is triangular or fan-shaped.
shape that helps to identify them.
● Action of the muscle. When muscles are named for ● Parallel. In a parallel arrangement, the length of the
their actions, terms such as flexor, extensor, and fascicles run parallel to the long axis of the muscle; these
adductor appear in their names. muscles are straplike; a modification of the parallel
arrangement, called fusiform, results in a
spindle-shaped muscle with an expanded belly.

● Pennate. In a pennate pattern, short fascicles attach

obliquely to a central tendon; in the extensor digitorium
muscle of the leg, the fascicles insert into only one side
of the tendon and the muscle is unipennate; if the
fascicles insert into opposite sides of the tendon or from
from several different sides, the muscle
is bipennate or multipennate.

Gross Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles

Only the most important muscles are described here because it
is beyond our scope to describe the hundreds of skeletal
muscles of the human body.
Head and Neck Muscles 2. Orbicularis occuli. The orbicularis oculi has fibers that run
in circles around the eyes; it allows you to close your eyes,
squint, blink, and wink.
The head muscles are an interesting group because they have 3. Orbicularis oris. The orbicularis oris is the circular muscle
many specific functions but are usually grouped into two large of the lips; because it closes the mouth and protrudes the
categories- facial muscles and chewing muscles. lips, it is often called the “kissing” muscle.
4. Buccinator. The fleshy buccinator muscle runs horizontally
across the cheek and inserts into the orbicularis oris.
5. Zygomaticus. The zygomaticus extends from the corner of
the mouth to the cheekbone; it is often referred to as the
“smiling” muscle because it raises the corners of
the mouth upward.

Chewing Muscles

The buccinator muscle, which is a member of this group, is

described with the facial muscles.

● Masseter. As it runs from the zygomatic process of

the temporal bone to the mandible, the masseter covers the
angle of the lower jaw; this muscle closes the jaw by
elevating the mandible.
● Temporalis. The temporalis is a fan-shaped muscle
overlying the temporal bone; it inserts into the mandible and
acts as a synergist of the masseter in closing the jaw.
Neck Muscles

Facial Muscles For the most part, the neck muscles, which move the head and
shoulder girdle, are small and straplike. Only two neck muscles
are considered here.
There are 5 facial muscles: ● Platysma. The platysma is a single, sheetlike muscle that
covers the anterolateral neck; its action is to pull the corners
1. Frontalis. The frontalis, which covers the frontal bone, runs of the mouth inferiorly, producing a downward sag of
from the cranial aponeurosis to the skin of the eyebrows, the mouth.
where it inserts; this muscle allows you to raise your ● Sternocleidomastoid. The paired sternocleidomastoid
eyebrows and wrinkle your forehead; at the posterior end of muscles are two-headed muscles, one found on each side of
the cranial aponeurosis is the small occipitalis muscle.
 the neck; when both sternocleidomastoid contract together, cage when you inhale; the internal intercostals, which lie
they flex your neck. deep to the external intercostals, depress the rib cage, which
Trunk Muscles helps to move air out of the lungs when you exhale forcibly.

● Muscles of the abdominal girdle. The anterior abdominal

The trunk muscles include (1) those that move the vertebral muscles (rectus abdominis, ecternal and internal obliques,
column; (2) anterior thorax muscles, which move the ribs, head, and transversus abdominis) form a “natural girdle” that
and arms; and (3) muscles of the abdominal wall, which help to reinforces the body trunk; the paired straplike rectus
move the vertebral column and, most important, form the abdominis muscles are the most superficial muscles of the
muscular “natural girdle” of the abdominal body wall. abdomen; the external oblique muscles are paired superficial
muscles that make up the lateral walls of the abdomen;
the internal oblique muscles are paired muscles deep to the
external obliques; and the transversus abdominis is the
deepest muscle of the abdominal wall and has fibers that run
horizontally across the abdomen.

Posterior Muscles
The posterior muscles of the trunk include:
● Trapezius. The trapezius muscles are the most superficial
muscles of the posterior neck and upper trunk; the trapezius
muscles extend the head; they also can elevate, depress,
adduct, and stabilize the scapula.
● Latissimus dorsi. The latissimus dorsi muscles are the two
large, flat muscles that cover the lower back; these are very
Anterior Muscles important muscles when the arm must be brought down in a
power stroke.
The anterior muscles of the trunk include: ● Erector spinae. The erector spinae group is the prime
mover of back extension; these muscles not only act as
● Pectoralis major. The pectoralis major is a large, powerful back extensors but also provide resistance that
fan-shaped muscle covering the upper part of the chest; this helps control the action of bending over at the waist.
muscle forms the anterior wall of the axilla and acts to
adduct and flex the arm. ● Quadratus lumborum. The fleshy quadratus lumborum
muscles form part of the posterior abdominal wall; acting
● Intercostal muscles. The intercostal muscles are deep separately, each muscle of the pair flexes the spine laterally;
muscles found between the ribs; the external intercostals are acting together, they extend the lumbar spine.
important in breathing because they help you to raise the rib
● Deltoid. The deltoids are fleshy, triangle-shaped muscles
that form the rounded shape of the shoulders; the deltoids
are the prime movers of arm abduction.

Muscles of the Upper Limb

The upper limb muscles fall into three groups. The first group
arise from the shoulder girdle and cross the shoulder joint to
insert into the humerus. The second group causes movement at
the elbow joint. The third group includes the muscles of
the forearm.

Muscles of the Humerus that Act on the Forearm

All anterior arm muscles cause elbow flexion. In order of

decreasing strength, these are the brachialis, biceps brachii,
and brachioradialis.

● Biceps brachii. The biceps brachii is the most familiar

muscle of the arm because it bulges when the elbow is
flexed; this muscle is the powerful prime mover for flexion of
the forearm and acts to supinate the forearm.

● Brachialis. The brachialis lies deep to the biceps muscle

and is as important as the biceps in the elbow portion; the
brachialis lifts the ulna as as the biceps lift the radius.

● Brachioradialis. The brachioradialis is a fairly weak muscle

that arises on the humerus and inserts into the distal
forearm.

● Triceps brachii. The triceps brachii is the only muscle

fleshing out the posterior humerus; being the powerful prime
mover of elbow extension, it is the antagonist of biceps
brachii.
 ● Gluteus maximus. The gluteus maximus is a superficial
muscle of the hip that forms most of the flesh of the buttock;
it is a powerful hip extensor that acts to bring the thigh in a
straight line with the pelvis.

● Gluteus medius. The gluteus medius runs from the iliac to

the femur, beneath the gluteus maximus for most of its
Muscles of the Lower Limb length; the gluteus medius is a hip abductor and is important
in steadying the pelvis during walking.

Muscles that act on the lower limb cause movement at the hip, ● Iliopsoas. The iliopsoas is a fused muscle composed of two
knee and foot joints. They are among the largest and strongest muscles, the iliacus and the psoas major; it is a prime mover
muscle in the body and are specialized for walking and of hip flexion and also acts to keep the upper body from
balancing the body. falling backward when we are standing erect.

● Adductor muscles. The muscles of the adductor group form

the muscle mass at the medial side of each thigh; as their
name indicates, they adduct, or press, the thighs together.

Muscles Causing Movement at the Knee Joint

The muscles of the lower limb that causes movement of the
knee joint are:

● Hamstring group. The muscles forming the muscle mass of

the posterior thigh are the hamstrings; the group consists of
three muscles, the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and
semitendinosus, which originate on the ischial tuberosity and
run down the thigh to insert on both sides of the
proximal tibia.

● Sartorius. It is the most superficial muscle of the thigh; it

Muscles Causing Movement at the Hip Joint acts as a synergist to bring about the cross-legged position.

Part of the muscles of the lower limb are the muscles at the hip ● Quadriceps group. The quadriceps group consists of four
joint. muscles- the rectus femorismuscle and three vastus
 muscles– that flesh out the anterior thigh; the group as a ● Neurotransmitter. When a nerve impulse reaches the axon
whole acts to extend the knee powerfully. terminals, a chemical referred to as the neurotransmitter is
released; the specific neurotransmitter that stimulate skeletal
Muscles Causing Movement at the Ankle and muscle cells is acetylcholine, or ACh.
● Temporary permeability. If enough acetylcholine is
Foot released, the sarcolemma at that point becomes temporarily
more permeable sodium ions, which rush into the muscle
There are 5 muscles that cause movement at the ankle and cell, and to potassium ions, which diffuse out of the cell.
foot: ● Action potential. More channels in the sarcolemma open
up to allow only sodium to enter, which generates an
● Tibialis anterior. The tibialis anterior is a superficial muscle electrical current called an action potential; once the action is
on the anterior leg; it arises from the upper tibia and then begun, it is unstoppable; it travels over the entire surface of
parallels the anterior crest as it runs to the tarsal bones. the sarcolemma, conducting the electrical impulse from one
● Extensor digitorum longus. Lateral to the tibialis anterior, end of the cell to the other; the result id contraction of the
the extensor digitorum longus muscle arises from the lateral muscle cell.
tibial condyle and proximal radius; it is a prime mover of toe ● Break down of enzymes. Acetylcholine, which began the
extension and a dorsiflexor of the foot. process of muscle contraction, is broken down to acetic acid
● Fibularis muscles. The three fibularis muscles- longus, and choline by enzymes present on the sarcolemma; for this
brevis, and tertius- are found on the lateral part of the leg; reason, a single nerve impulse produces only one
the group as a whole plantar flexes and everts the foot. contraction; the muscle cell relaxes until stimulated by the
● Gastrocnemius. The gastrocnemius muscle is a two-bellied next round of acetylcholine release.
muscle that forms the curved half of the posterior leg; it is a Mechanism of Muscle Contraction: The Sliding Filament Theory
prime mover for plantar flexion of the foot.
● Soleus. Deep to the gastrocnemius is the fleshy soleus When muscle fibers are activated by the nervous system, the
muscle; because it arises from the tibia and fibula, it does myosin heads attach to binding sites on the thin filaments, and
not affect knee movement. the sliding begins.
● Relaxed muscle cell. In a relaxed muscle cell, the
Physiology of the Muscular System regulatory proteins forming part of the actin myofilaments
prevent myosin binding; when an action potential sweeps
along its sarcolemma and a muscle cell is
Skeletal Muscle Activity
excited, calcium ions are released from intracellular storage
Muscle cells have some special functional properties that
areas.
enable them to perform their duties.
● Contraction trigger. The flood of calcium acts as the final
Nerve Stimulus and the Action Potential trigger for contraction, because as calcium binds to the
regulatory proteins on the actin filaments, they change both
To contract, skeletal muscle cells must be stimulated by nerve their shape and their position on the thin filaments.
impulse. ● Attachment. The physical attachment of myosin to actin
“springs the trap”, causing the myosin heads to snap toward
the center of the sarcomere; because actin and myosin are
firmly bound to each other when this happens, the thin
filaments are slightly pulled toward the center of the
sarcomere.