Muscular System Support, Movement, & More
Muscular System Objectives
- List and describe basic muscle system structures and functions, including the basic microanatomy of “bundle within bundle” structure.
- Describe the functional difference between a tendon and a ligament and explain why both are hard to heal.
- Describe the impact of aerobic and anaerobic strength-training exercises on skeletal muscles.
This video introduces the human muscular system with an overview of functions and structures.
Before we examine muscle organs, we need to talk about how we look at organs and tissues. Often when we study organs we are only looking at small pieces, not the entire organ. It matters what direction we are looking in, whether it is the length of an organ, or a cross-section. This video introduces sectional planes.
Microanatomy is the study of tissues and cells under the microscope. Knowing the plane you are viewing is important in identifying structures.
These images show two different planar cuts through skeletal muscle (100x)
Notice how different these look. It would be possible to think skeletal muscle cells are just round balls instead of long tubes if you just saw the transverse cut.
Sagittal (lengthwise)
Transverse (cross-section)
These are the muscles, or groups of muscles, to know for this course.
Note: you may already know this, but it was news to me when I first started running. Many muscle names like “quadriceps” refer to groups of muscles, not individual muscles. Group names are easier to remember and you tend to use muscles in a group together at the same time.
Some of out largest muscle groups have opposing actions.
Muscle Tissues
Our body has three types of muscle tissue, we are working with one in this guide and the others in upcoming guides.
Here is a closer look at skeletal muscle microanatomy.
This video is showing a sagittal plane view of three skeletal muscle cells.
Tendons & Ligaments
The skeletal system and muscular system work together, supported by tendons and ligaments. This video explores this close relationship.
Knee ligaments are some of the most vulnerable in the body and the video below explains what they are and how they can be injured.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is inflammation of the carpal ligament, and the resulting impact on the median nerve.
Ligaments holding multiple bones together at joints are particularly vulnerable to injury. It’s not only the knee that is at risk; it is also the shoulders, feet, hands, and even the jaw.
Rotator cuff can refer to damage (tears, inflammation) to shoulder tendons and/or ligaments.
The plantar fascia connects heal bones to the toes can can become inflamed or tear.
Exercise & Skeletal Muscles
We’ll start with an overview of how exercise impacts skeletal muscle.
Muscles of the hand and forearm allow us to have grip strength and precision movements. They are an important part of an exercise plan.
This video demonstrates different types of grip strength. Many everyday tasks depend on adequate grip.
The amazing human hand
If you strength train, you have experienced muscle fatigue, cells running out of oxygen and nutrients. Mark has a cool demo you can try to feel the impacts of muscle fatigue.
Note: use caution whenever you fatigue muscles, it is possible to get “light-headed” and lose balance. Give yourself space and have a friend assist.
The next section focuses in on populations, groups of individuals within a single species.
Check your knowledge. Can you:
- list and describe basic muscle system structures and functions, including the basic microanatomy of “bundle within bundle” structure?
- Describe the functional difference between a tendon and a ligament and explain why both are hard to heal?
- Describe the impact of aerobic and anaerobic strength-training exercises on skeletal muscles?
Go back to the Skeletal System Page
Go forward to the Cardiovascular System Page
Movement Guide Contents
Complete all four of these sections before taking the quiz and submitting your two journal pages.
Back to Module Index
Links to all eight Guides
This Week’s Guide
2: Movement
This Week’s Assignments
2: Movement Products
