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Muscles are a type of soft tissue that enable movement in the body. There are over 600 muscles in the human body, which is made up of 42% muscle for men and 36% for women. Muscles are made up of thousands of small fibres, which are bundled together and attached to bones via tendons. There are three types of muscle tissue: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Skeletal muscles are attached to the bones and allow movement. Smooth muscles are involuntary muscles that line the inside of some organs, such as the intestines and heart. Cardiac muscles are the heart muscles that pump blood through the body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Soft tissue, one of the four basic types of animal tissue |
| Types | Skeletal, cardiac, and smooth |
| Muscle Tissue | Contains contractile proteins called actin and myosin |
| Composition | Made up of thousands of elastic fibres bundled tightly together |
| Neuromuscular System | Brain, nerves, and skeletal muscles work together to cause movement |
| Muscle Movement | Contraction or relaxation, which may be voluntary or involuntary |
| Muscle Location | Throughout the body, including the back, chest, arms, legs, calves, and shoulders |
| Muscle Shape | Spindle, flat, triangular, or circular |
| Muscle Function | Supporting movement, pumping blood, lifting weights, giving birth, aiding digestion and breathing |
| Muscle Health | Monitored through complete blood count, EMG, MRI, and muscle biopsy |
| Muscle Injuries | Treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation |
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Skeletal muscle
The skeletal muscle also acts as a storage source for amino acids that different organs of the body can use for synthesising organ-specific proteins. Skeletal muscle is also an endocrine organ, playing a central role in maintaining thermostasis and acting as an energy source during starvation.
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Cardiac muscle
Muscle is a soft tissue that allows for body movement by contracting and relaxing. There are three types of muscle tissue in vertebrates: skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle.
The primary function of cardiac muscle is to pump blood into circulation by generating sufficient force. The mechanism behind each coordinated contraction involves the cardiac muscle and electrical impulses. These contractile functions of the heart require ATP, which can be obtained through various substrates, including fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins, and ketones. The heart's rhythmic contraction is regulated by the sinoatrial node of the heart, which serves as the heart's pacemaker. The amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute (the cardiac output) varies to meet the metabolic needs of peripheral tissues.
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Smooth muscle
Single-unit smooth muscle can contract regularly without input from a motor neuron, while multi-unit smooth muscle contraction is initiated by an autonomic nervous system neuron. Most smooth muscle is of the single-unit type, and it is found in the walls of blood vessels (except large elastic arteries), the urinary tract, and the digestive tract.
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Muscle movement
There are three types of muscles: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Skeletal muscles are attached to bones and give the body structure and strength. They are responsible for movements of the body and are under conscious control, meaning they are voluntary muscles. They can be grouped by their location, such as chest, leg, or back muscles, or by the type of movement they perform, like abductors, flexors, or extensors. Skeletal muscles are also used to maintain posture and balance.
Smooth muscles, on the other hand, are involuntary muscles that line the inside of some organs. They play an important role in many body systems, including the reproductive, urinary, respiratory, and digestive systems. Smooth muscles help with essential functions like moving waste through the intestines and expanding the lungs during breathing.
Cardiac muscle, or myocardium, makes up the middle layers of the heart and is also an involuntary muscle. It squeezes and relaxes to pump blood through the cardiovascular system.
The brain, nerves, and skeletal muscles work together to cause movement, and this is known as the neuromuscular system. The brain sends messages to the motor neurons, which trigger the release of the chemical acetylcholine. The muscle responds to this chemical by contracting.
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Muscle health
Muscles are made of thousands of small fibres woven together. These fibres stretch and press together to move your organs and body. There are three types of muscle tissue: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac.
Skeletal muscles are part of the musculoskeletal system and work with bones, tendons, and ligaments to support your weight and move you. They are voluntary muscles, meaning they move when you think about moving. Some skeletal muscles have fast-twitch fibres that contract quickly and use short bursts of energy, while others have slow-twitch fibres that move slowly, like your back muscles that help with posture.
Cardiac muscle, or myocardium, makes up the middle layers of your heart. It squeezes and relaxes to pump blood through your cardiovascular system. Cardiac muscle is an involuntary muscle, meaning it beats on its own without your input.
Smooth muscles are also involuntary. They line the inside of some organs and do essential jobs like moving waste through your intestines and helping your lungs expand when you breathe. Smooth muscles also help you focus your eyes, move food through your body, and go to the bathroom.
To keep your muscles healthy, it's important to stay physically active. You can try walking, jogging, playing sports, dancing, swimming, or biking. Progressive resistance training (PRT) is particularly effective for building muscle mass. As you get older, you may need to increase your protein intake to maintain muscle mass. A recent study suggests a daily intake of 1 to 1.3 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight for older adults who do resistance training. It's also important to consume carbohydrates after a workout to maximize muscle growth and improve recovery.
In addition to diet and exercise, your muscle mass is heavily regulated by your hormone levels. Estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones play a role in muscle health, so it's important to keep these hormones in balance as you age. Reducing alcohol consumption can also help maintain muscle strength and longevity. Alcohol can cause an inflammatory response and make it more difficult for your body to digest and absorb nutrients.
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