Logan Steele
The human body has more than 600 muscles, which are pieces of soft tissue that help us move, breathe, swallow, and stay alive. There are three types of muscles: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Skeletal muscles are attached to bones and allow us to perform a wide range of movements and functions. They make up about 30-40% of our total body mass. Smooth muscles are found in internal structures like the bladder, uterus, and blood vessels, and they contract involuntarily. Cardiac muscle is specific to the heart and is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. It works involuntarily, without conscious control.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the human body | 600-700 |
| Muscle types | Skeletal, smooth, cardiac |
| Skeletal muscle composition | Bones, tendons, skeletal muscle tissue, blood vessels, nerves |
| Skeletal muscle functions | Contraction, producing movement, sustaining body posture, maintaining body temperature, storing nutrients, stabilizing joints |
| Smooth muscle composition | Visceral muscle |
| Smooth muscle functions | Contraction, moving substances through the organ |
| Cardiac muscle composition | Cardiac muscle tissue |
| Cardiac muscle functions | Pumping blood throughout the body |
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Skeletal muscles
The development of skeletal muscles begins during embryogenesis, with the para-axial mesoderm on either side of the neural tube differentiating and segmenting to form the somites. These somites are stimulated by myogenic regulatory factors, leading to the formation of the dermomyotome and sclerotome. The dermomyotome then differentiates into the myotome, which, upon receiving signals from the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signalling molecule, forms the skeletal muscles in the body.
The skeletal muscle serves various functions beyond movement. It acts as a storage source for amino acids, which are used by different organs for synthesising organ-specific proteins. Additionally, skeletal muscles play a crucial role in maintaining thermostasis and providing an energy source during starvation. They also aid in maintaining body posture, controlling body temperature, and stabilising joints.
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Cardiac muscles
The human body has about 700 named muscles, which make up roughly half of a person's body weight. These muscles are categorised into three types: visceral, cardiac, and skeletal.
Cardiac muscle tissue is made up of individual cardiac muscle cells called cardiomyocytes, which are joined by intercalated discs and encased by collagen fibres and other substances that form the extracellular matrix. Cardiomyocytes are tubular structures composed of chains of myofibrils, which are rod-like units within the cell. The myofibrils consist of repeating sections of sarcomeres, which are the fundamental contractile units of the muscle cells. Sarcomeres are composed of long proteins that organise into thick and thin filaments, called myofilaments. Thin myofilaments contain the protein actin, and thick myofilaments contain the protein myosin.
The primary function of cardiac muscle is to pump blood into circulation by generating sufficient force. The contractile functions of the heart require ATP, which can be obtained through various substrates, including fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins, and ketones. The heart may use anaerobic processes in a limited capacity, but aerobic production is the core utilisation process.
Cardiac muscle cells contract in coordination with their neighbouring cells, known as a functional syncytium, to efficiently pump blood from the heart. If this coordination breaks down, the heart may not pump at all, as can occur during abnormal heart rhythms such as ventricular fibrillation.
Cardiac muscle is an involuntary muscle, meaning it cannot be directly controlled by the conscious mind. Instead, it is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, with hormones and signals from the brain adjusting the rate of contraction. The natural pacemaker of the heart is made of cardiac muscle tissue, which stimulates other cardiac muscle cells to contract. Due to its self-stimulation, cardiac muscle is considered autorhythmic or intrinsically controlled.
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Smooth muscles
Smooth muscle is one of the three main types of muscle in the body, the other two being skeletal and cardiac muscle. It is a type of muscle tissue that works automatically and is found throughout the body. Smooth muscle is controlled by the autonomic nervous system and is often referred to as visceral muscle because it has a smooth, uniform appearance when viewed under a microscope. This is in contrast to the banded appearance of skeletal and cardiac muscles.
Smooth muscle is involved in many of the body's most important functions, including blood pressure and circulation, vision, and digestion. It is found in the walls of hollow organs, including the stomach, intestines, bladder, and uterus, as well as in the walls of blood vessels and lymph vessels (excluding blood and lymph capillaries). It is also present in the tracts of the respiratory, urinary, and reproductive systems, and in the skin and eyes.
Smooth muscle differs from skeletal muscle in terms of structure, function, and regulation of contraction. Smooth muscle cells are shorter and have a spindle shape with a wide middle and tapering ends, while skeletal muscle cells are long and cylindrical with a grooved appearance. Smooth muscles are controlled involuntarily, while skeletal muscles are voluntary and can be controlled by the individual.
Smooth muscle plays a vital role in the regulation of blood pressure and tissue oxygenation. It also helps with digestion and nutrient collection in the stomach and intestines, and with toxin removal and electrolyte balance in the urinary system. In the skin, smooth muscle causes hairs to stand on end, such as with goosebumps or in response to fear. In the eyes, smooth muscle controls how the pupils dilate or constrict and how the eyes focus.
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Muscle injuries
One of the most common muscle injuries is a muscle strain or a pulled muscle. This occurs when there is a tear in the muscle fibres, which can happen suddenly or gradually. Strains are often sports injuries caused by sudden movements like sprinting, twisting, or jumping. They can also occur in everyday life due to repetitive actions or improper training practices. The severity of a muscle strain can vary from mild to severe, with a grade 1 strain involving a few broken fibres, while a grade 3 strain tears completely through the muscle.
Treating muscle injuries depends on the type and severity of the injury. Many muscle injuries can be managed at home using the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Rest involves avoiding activities that caused the injury and giving the injured muscle time to heal. Icing the injury with cold compresses can help reduce pain and inflammation. Compression, such as wrapping an elastic bandage around the injured area, reduces swelling. Elevation keeps the injured muscle raised above the level of the heart to aid in reducing swelling. For severe muscle tears, medical care or even surgery may be necessary.
To prevent muscle injuries, it is essential to stretch and warm up before any physical activity. Maintaining proper muscle strength and flexibility can also help reduce the risk of strains. Additionally, ensuring adequate recovery time for muscles to rebuild after training is crucial to prevent overtraining and weakening of the muscles.
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Muscle disorders
Muscular dystrophy is another muscle disorder that causes weakness and the wasting away of muscle tissue. It is also inherited and results in the eventual loss of strength. Some other examples of muscle disorders include rippling muscle disease, STAC3 disorder, and tubular aggregate myopathy.
The treatment for muscle disorders depends on the specific condition and can vary from at-home remedies to chronic condition management. Many muscle injuries can be managed at home with the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Chronic conditions, on the other hand, may require long-term symptom management. While there is currently no cure for neuromuscular disorders, treatments such as medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and surgery can help manage symptoms and enhance patients' quality of life.
If you are experiencing muscle pain for more than a week or are having trouble moving, it is important to visit a healthcare provider. Additionally, if you are experiencing difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical attention.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscles are pieces of soft tissue that help the body move, breathe, swallow and pump blood. There are more than 600 muscles in the human body, making up about half of a person's body weight.
There are three types of muscles: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles that you can control consciously, while smooth and cardiac muscles are involuntary.
Skeletal muscles are the most common type of muscle in the body. They are attached to bones and allow for a wide range of movements. Skeletal muscles make up between 30% and 40% of your total body mass.
Smooth muscles are found in internal structures like the bladder, uterus, digestive tract, and blood vessels. They contract involuntarily, helping with functions like urination and giving birth. Cardiac muscles are specific to the heart and are responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.
