The Muscular System
The Muscular System
One. Introduction and Basic Terminology
Primary Function: Responsible for all body movements by contracting (shortening); functions as the mechanical engine of the body.
Cell Structure: Muscle cells are elongated and referred to as muscle fibers (muscle cell equals muscle fiber).
Contraction Mechanism. Movement occurs via the sliding interaction of microfilaments (actin and myosin).
Common Prefixes "myo-": Refers to muscle, "mys-": Refers to muscle, "sarco-": Refers to flesh.
Two. Functional Properties of Muscle Tissue
Two. Functional Properties of Muscle Tissue
Excitability (Irritability)
The capacity of a muscle to receive and respond to a stimulus.