Logan Steele
The human body is an intricate machine, with its muscular system responsible for movement. There are about 700 named muscles, accounting for about half of a person's body weight. These muscles can be broadly classified into three types: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Skeletal muscles, also known as striated muscles, are the most common type, comprising 30-40% of our body mass. They are attached to bones by tendons and are under voluntary control, allowing us to perform various movements and functions. Superficial muscles are a subset of skeletal muscles that lie close to the surface of the skin, like those in our back, neck, and shoulders. These superficial muscles help us move our shoulders and are often what we envision when we think of our back muscles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Superficial muscles are close to the surface of the skin. |
| Comparison with deep muscles | Muscles which lie closer to bone or internal organs are called deep muscles. |
| Examples | Latissimus dorsi (lats), Levator scapulae, Rhomboids, Trapezius (traps), Serratus anterior. |
| Function | Superficial back muscles help you move your shoulders. |
| Composition | Skeletal muscles are made of thousands of small fibers woven together. |
| Control | Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles, meaning you control how and when they move and work. |
| Percentage of body mass | Skeletal muscles comprise 30% to 40% of your total body mass. |
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What You'll Learn
- Superficial back muscles, such as the latissimus dorsi, help move the shoulders
- Superficial muscles are close to the skin, while deep muscles are closer to bones or organs
- Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles that control movement and make up 30-40% of body mass
- Cardiac and smooth muscles are involuntary muscles controlled by the autonomic nervous system
- Skeletal muscles are attached to bones by tendons and named based on location, shape, and function
Superficial back muscles, such as the latissimus dorsi, help move the shoulders
The human body is made up of three types of muscles: skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle. Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles, meaning we have control over how and when they move and work. These muscles are attached to the bones and allow us to perform a wide range of movements and functions. They are also the most common type of muscle in the body, comprising 30% to 40% of our total body mass.
Superficial back muscles are the ones closest to the surface, just under the skin. They help move the shoulders and are usually the ones people think of when picturing back muscles. One of the superficial back muscles is the latissimus dorsi, which is often shortened to 'lats'. These muscles are the largest in the upper half of the body, starting below the shoulder blades and extending to the spine in the lower back. They work collaboratively with the teres major and pectoralis major to perform actions of the upper extremity. Together, these muscles adduct, medially rotate, and extend the arm at the glenohumeral joint.
The trapezius, levator scapulae, and rhomboids are also superficial back muscles. The trapezius is the most superficial of all the back muscles and covers the rhomboids and levator scapulae. The trapezius starts at the neck, goes across the shoulders, and extends down to the lower back in a V shape. The levator scapulae are smaller muscles that start at the side of the neck and extend to the shoulder blades. The rhomboid muscles connect the shoulder blades to the spine.
Superficial back muscles support the torso, enable movement, and help with breathing. They are some of the most commonly injured muscles due to supporting a lot of weight and enabling a wide range of movements.
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Superficial muscles are close to the skin, while deep muscles are closer to bones or organs
The human body's muscular system is responsible for movement. There are about 700 named muscles, comprising roughly half of a person's body weight. These muscles are attached to the bones of the skeletal system and are controlled by the somatic nervous system.
Superficial muscles are those that are close to the surface of the skin. They are also known as surface muscles or extrinsic muscles. Examples of superficial muscles include the latissimus dorsi (lats), levator scapulae, rhomboids, trapezius, and serratus anterior. These muscles help move the shoulders and are usually the ones people think of when picturing their back muscles.
Deep muscles, on the other hand, are those that lie closer to the bones or internal organs. They are also referred to as intrinsic muscles. The erector spinae muscles (iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis) are examples of deep muscles that extend the length of the back. These muscles help with neck side bending and neck extension.
The distinction between superficial and deep muscles is important in understanding the different muscle groups' functions and movements. Superficial muscles are often more visible and are involved in more superficial movements, such as moving the shoulders. Deep muscles, on the other hand, are involved in more complex movements and provide structural support.
Additionally, it is worth noting that there are three types of muscle tissue in the human body: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles that we can control consciously, while cardiac and smooth muscles are involuntary and controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Skeletal muscles make up the majority of muscles in the body and are responsible for a wide range of movements and functions.
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Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles that control movement and make up 30-40% of body mass
Skeletal muscles are the most common type of muscle in the human body, comprising 30% to 40% of total body mass. They are attached to bones by tendons, allowing for a wide range of movements and functions. Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles, meaning individuals have control over how and when they work. These muscles consist of flexible muscle fibres that contract, enabling movement by moving bones. Each skeletal muscle can contain thousands of fibres, which are surrounded by different types of sheaths or coverings. The outermost layer is the epimysium, the middle layer is the perimysium, and the innermost layer is the endomysium. Skeletal muscles are also present in the tongue, diaphragm, eye socket, and upper oesophagus.
The primary function of skeletal muscle is to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy, generating force and power. They also play a role in maintaining body temperature, storing nutrients, and stabilising joints. Skeletal muscle contraction is typically under voluntary control, receiving neural inputs that allow for conscious control of muscles. Nerves in the somatic nervous system send signals to make skeletal muscles function. For example, when reaching for a book on a shelf, an individual is using skeletal muscles in their neck, arm, and shoulder.
Males generally have more skeletal muscle mass than females, and taller or overweight individuals tend to have higher muscle mass. Skeletal muscle mass decreases with age, making it important to maintain muscle health. Skeletal muscles are a vital part of the musculoskeletal system, contributing to overall body movement, posture, and balance.
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Cardiac and smooth muscles are involuntary muscles controlled by the autonomic nervous system
The human body is composed of different types of muscles, each with its own unique structure and function. One type of muscle is the skeletal muscle, also known as striated muscle. These muscles are attached to the bones by tendons and are responsible for a wide range of movements and functions. Skeletal muscles are under voluntary control, allowing individuals to consciously control their movement and contraction.
In contrast, cardiac and smooth muscles are types of involuntary muscles. These muscles are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which regulates their function without conscious thought. The autonomic nervous system consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, working together to maintain critical body functions.
Cardiac muscles, also known as myocardium, are striated muscles that make up the heart. They are responsible for the rhythmic contractions of the heart, ensuring the continuous pumping of blood throughout the body. These involuntary contractions are essential for maintaining blood circulation and oxygen supply to tissues.
Smooth muscles, on the other hand, are found in the walls of hollow organs and structures such as blood vessels, the urinary bladder, intestines, and stomach. They play a crucial role in regulating organ functions by contracting and relaxing these structures. For example, smooth muscles in the digestive tract help propel food during digestion, and those in the urinary system aid in eliminating waste and toxins from the body.
The autonomic nervous system's control over cardiac and smooth muscles is essential for maintaining homeostasis and responding to changes in the internal and external environment. It allows for the unconscious regulation of vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and urination. This regulatory mechanism ensures the body's subsystems work together harmoniously, adapting to the body's needs without requiring conscious input.
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Skeletal muscles are attached to bones by tendons and named based on location, shape, and function
Skeletal muscles are attached to bones by tendons and are named based on location, shape, and function. Skeletal muscles are the most common type of muscle in the human body, comprising 30% to 40% of total body mass. They are voluntary muscles, meaning that we control how and when they move. Skeletal muscles are attached to bones by tendons, which are made of strong fibrous connective tissue. Together, they produce all body movements.
Skeletal muscles consist of flexible muscle fibres that range from less than half an inch to just over 3 inches in diameter. Each muscle can contain thousands of fibres, and these fibres contract, allowing the muscles to move bones and enabling humans to perform a wide range of movements and daily activities. The tissue of a skeletal muscle is striated, giving it a striped appearance due to the arrangement of the sarcomeres. The skeletal muscle cells are much longer than in other types of muscle tissue, and they are also known as muscle fibres.
The names of skeletal muscles are based on their location, shape, and function. For example, deltoid means triangular, rhomboideus means having a rhomboid shape, and trapezius means having a trapezoid shape. The function of skeletal muscles can be indicated by terms such as abductor, which means moving away from the midline, or elevator, which means moving upwards.
The musculoskeletal system is one of the body's major tissue and organ systems. It includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Bones give the body its shape, protect organs, and store minerals like calcium. The many different joints in the body connect bones and allow movement. Skeletal muscles are a vital part of the musculoskeletal system, enabling the body to move and perform various functions.
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Frequently asked questions
Surface muscles, also known as superficial muscles, are the muscles that are close to the surface of the skin. They are usually the ones people think of when picturing their back muscles.
Some examples of surface muscles include the latissimus dorsi (lats), levator scapulae, rhomboids, and trapezius (traps).
Deep muscles are located underneath the surface muscles and are closer to the bone or internal organs.
Surface muscles help to move the shoulders and support the torso. They also enable breathing by expanding and contracting the chest cavity.
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