The

Muscular
System
The ability to move is an
essential activity of the
human body
our body weight comes
from muscles
Consists of over 600
individual muscles.
3 purposes:
Body movement
Body shape
Body heat (maintain temp.)
 The Muscular
System
Body movements
are determined by
three types of
muscles
Smooth
(involuntary)
cannot be
controlled by will.
Cardiac control
the contractions of
the heart.
Skeletal (Voluntary)
can be controlled
by will.
Function of Skeletal muscles
Attach
to bones to provide voluntary
movement
Tendons: strong, tough connective cords
Fascia: tough, sheet-like membrane
Produce heat and energy for the body
Help maintain posture
Protect internal organs
Called striated (striped) because they
have striations of alternating light
and dark band
 Functions contd.
Fleshy body parts are made of
skeletal muscles
Provide movements to the limbs, but
contract quickly, fatigue easily and
lack the ability to maintain
contraction for long periods
Blinking eyes, talking, breathing, eating,
dancing and writing all produced by
these muscles
 Function of Smooth Muscle
Called smooth muscle because they are
unmarked by striations, small spindle
shaped
Unattached to bones, act slowly, do not tire
easily and can remain contracted for a long
time
Not under conscious control so they are also
called involuntary muscles
Found in walls of internal organs (intestines,
bladder, stomach, uterus, blood vessels)
 Function of cardiac muscle
Found only in the heart
Involuntary muscle
Requires a continuous supply of
oxygen to function
Cardiac muscle cells begin to die
after 30 seconds of oxygen cut-of
Striated and branched
 Special muscles
Sphincter
(dilator) muscles are
openings between
the esophagus and stomach
The stomach and small intestines
Walls of the anus, urethra and mouth
Openand close to control passage of
substances
 Characteristics of Muscles
All
muscles have 4 common
characteristics

Excitability ability to respond to a stimulus

(ie: nerve impulse)
Contractibility muscle fibers that are
stimulated by nerves contract (become
shorter) and causes movement
Extensibility ability to be stretched
Elasticity allows the muscle to return to its
original shape after it has been stretched
 Sources of heat/energy
When muscles work, they produce heat
that our body needs to function properly
Major source of this energy is ATP a
compound found in muscle cells
ATP requires muscle cells to have
oxygen, glucose and other materials
circulated by the blood
When the muscle is stimulated, ATP is
released, thus producing heat
 Definitions
Adduction: Extention:
Moving a body part Increasing the angle
toward the midline between two bones
Abduction: or straightening the
body part
Moving a body part
away from the Rotation:
midline Turning a body part
Flexion: around its own axis
Decreasing the angle Circumduction:
between two bones Moving in a circle at
or bending body a joint
parts
 Buildup of lactic acid caused by vigorous
exercise where blood is unable to be
transported:
MUSCLE FATIGUE
State of partial contraction is called:
MUSCLE TONE
Loss of muscle tone occurs when
muscles are not used for a long period
of time. Muscles atrophy (shrink in size
and lose strength) and results in:
CONTRACTURES
Foot drop is the most common type of contracture
seen, but fingers, knees and other joints can be
afected
MUSCLES YOU NEED TO KNOW
THE FUNCTIONS OF:
Biceps flexes lower arm
Deltoid abducts arm; injection site
Sternocleidomastoid turns head
Gastrocnemius flexes sole of feet
Latissimus dorsi extends & adducts upper
arm
Pectoralis major adducts and flexes upper
arm
intercostals moves ribs for breathing
 Trapezius extends head, moves
shoulder
Triceps extends lower arm
Gluteus maximus extends thigh;
injection site
Sartorius abducts thigh, flexes leg
Vastus lateralis extends leg
Rectus abdominus compresses the
abdomen
Rectus femoris flexes thigh & extends
lower leg
Tibialis anterior flexes and inverts foot
 FIBROMYALGIA
MUSCULAR
DYSTROPHY
Chronic,
widespread pain in
Group of inherited
specific muscle diseases that
site; numbness and cause chronic,
tingling in arms or progressive muscle
legs; headaches atrophy resulting in
total disability and
Cause unknown early death
Treat symptoms No cure
pain relief; stress
reduction and
Treatment used to
muscle relaxers slow progression of
disease
 MYASTENIA GRAVIS MUSCLE
SPASMS/CRAMPS
Chronic condition
where nerve impulses Sudden, painful
are not transmitted involuntary muscle
correctly leading to contractions
progressive muscular Caused from
weakness and overexertion, low
paralysis; afects electrolytes or poor
respiratory muscles circulation
and can be fatal
Treat by applying
Cause unknown gentle pressure and
Treatment is stretching of the
supportive afected muscle
 STRAIN
Overstretching of a
muscle or tendon
frequently in legs,
back or arms
Caused by sudden
muscle exertion
Treated by resting,
muscle relaxants, or
pain medications,
elevation of
extremity and
applying hot/cold
compresses
RANGE OF MOTION
 ????? WHY ?????
Done to maintain health of the
musculoskeletal system (muscle/skeleton)
Each joint and muscle is moved through
its full range for patients with limited
ability to move
Administered by: PT, RN, Assistant, or
other authorized personnel (with training)
Done to prevent problems caused by lack
of movement
 Problems from lack of
movement
Contractures
Tightening and shortening of a muscle
resulting in a permanent flexing of a joint
Muscle atrophy
Muscles become weak and joints become stif
Circulatory impairment
Blood clots and pressure ulcers can develop
Mineral loss
Especially calcium from the bones making
bones brittle and easily to be fractured
Other problems
Poor appetite; constipation; urinary infections;
respiratory problems; and pneumonia
 Types of ROM
Active ROM
Performed by patients who are able to move each
joint without assistance
Active assistive ROM
Patient actively moves the joints but receives
assistance to complete the entire range
Passive ROM
Another person moves each joint for a patient who
is not able to exercise
Resistive ROM
Exercises are performed by a PT against resistance
 Definitions
Abduction moving away from midline
Adduction moving toward midline
Flexion bending of body part
Extension straightening of body part
Rotation moving around its own axis
Circumduction moving in a circle at a
joint
 Principles to follow
Movement should be slow and smooth
Support provided to the parts above and
below the joint being exercised
Never force a joint beyond its ROM or to the
point of pain
STOP if a person complains of pain
Perform each movement 3-5 times
Encourage patient to assist as much as
possible
Prevent patient exposure
Keep door closed and patient screened of
Use correct body mechanics
Body Mechanics
 4 main reasons
Muscles work best when used
correctly
Correct use of muscles makes lifting,
pulling and pushing easier
Prevents unnecessary fatigue and
strain therefore, saves energy
Prevents injury to self
 8 rules of good body
mechanics
Maintain broad base Carry heavy
of support (8-10 in.) objects close
Bend from hips and Avoid twisting
knees to get close body; turn whole
to object body when
Use strongest changing direction
muscles: shoulders, Avoid bending for
arms, hips, thighs long periods
Use weight of body Get help if object is
to help push/pull too heavy