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Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology: 3.4 Muscle Tissue and Motion

Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology
3.4 Muscle Tissue and Motion
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table of contents
  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Table Of Contents
  5. About the Authors
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. Preface
  8. Levels of Organisation, Homeostasis and Nomenclature
    1. 1.1 Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
    2. 1.2 Structural Organisation of the Human Body
    3. 1.3 Homeostasis
    4. 1.4 Anatomical Terminology
  9. Cells and Reproduction
    1. 2.1 Synthesis of Biological Macromolecules
    2. 2.2 Carbohydrates
    3. 2.3 Lipids
    4. 2.4 Protein
    5. 2.5 Nucleic Acid
    6. 2.6 The Cell Membrane
    7. 2.7 The Cytoplasm and Cellular Organelles
    8. 2.8 The Nucleus and DNA Replication
    9. 2.9 Protein Synthesis
    10. 2.10 Cell Growth and Division
    11. 2.11 Cellular Differentiation
  10. Tissues, Organs, Systems
    1. 3.1 Types of Tissues
    2. 3.2 Epithelial Tissue
    3. 3.3 Connective Tissue Supports and Protects
    4. 3.4 Muscle Tissue and Motion
    5. 3.5 Nervous Tissue Mediates Perception and Response
    6. 3.6 Tissue Injury and Ageing
  11. Integumentary System
    1. 4.1 Layers of the Skin
    2. 4.2 Accessory Structures of the Skin
    3. 4.3 Functions of the Integumentary System
    4. 4.4 Diseases, Disorders and Injuries of the Integumentary System
  12. Blood
    1. 5.1 An Overview of Blood
    2. 5.2 Production of the Formed Elements
    3. 5.3 Erythrocytes
    4. 5.4 Leukocytes and Platelets
    5. 5.5 Haemostasis
    6. 5.6 Blood Typing
  13. Cardiovascular System
    1. 6.1 Heart Anatomy
    2. 6.2 Cardiac Muscle and Electrical Activity
    3. 6.3 Cardiac Cycle
    4. 6.4 Cardiac Physiology
    5. 6.5 Development of the Heart
    6. 6.6 Structure and Function of Blood Vessels
    7. 6.7 Blood Flow, Blood Pressure and Resistance
    8. 6.8 Capillary Exchange
    9. 6.9 Homeostatic Regulation of the Vascular System
    10. 6.10 Circulatory Pathways
    11. 6.11 Development of Blood Vessels and Foetal Circulation
  14. Lymphatic System and Immunity
    1. 7.1 Anatomy of the Lymphatic and Immune Systems
    2. 7.2 Barrier Defences and the Innate Immune Response
    3. 7.3 The Adaptive Immune Response: T Lymphocytes and their Functional Types
    4. 7.4 The Adaptive Immune Response: B-Lymhocytes and Antibodies
    5. 7.5 The Immune Response Against Pathogens
    6. 7.6 Diseases Associated with Depressed or Overactive Immune Responses
    7. 7.7 Transplantation and Cancer Immunology
  15. Respiratory System
    1. 8.1 Organs and Structures of the Respiratory System
    2. 8.2 The Lungs
    3. 8.3 The Process of Breathing
    4. 8.4 Gas Exchange
    5. 8.5 Transport of Gases
    6. 8.6 Modifications in Respiratory Functions
    7. 8.7 Embryonic Development of the Respiratory System
  16. Muscle System
    1. 9.1 Overview of Muscle Tissues
    2. 9.2 Skeletal Muscle
    3. 9.3 Muscle Fibre Contraction and Relaxation
    4. 9.4 Nervous System Control of Muscle Tension
    5. 9.5 Types of Muscle Fibres
    6. 9.6 Exercise and Muscle Performance
    7. 9.7 Cardiac Muscle Tissue
    8. 9.8 Smooth Muscle
    9. 9.9 Development and Regeneration of Muscle Tissue
  17. Skeletal System
    1. 10.1 The Functions of the Skeletal System
    2. 10.2 Bone Classification
    3. 10.3 Bone Structure
    4. 10.4 Bone Formation and Development
    5. 10.5 Fractures: Bone Repair
    6. 10.6 Exercise, Nutrition, Hormones and Bone Tissue
    7. 10.7 Calcium Homeostasis: Interactions of the Skeletal System and Other Organ Systems
    8. 10.8 Divisions of the Skeletal System
    9. 10.9 The Skull
    10. 10.10 The Vertebral Column
    11. 10.11 The Thoracic Cage
    12. 10.12 Embryonic Development of the Axial Skeleton
  18. Musculoskeletal System
    1. 11.1 The Pectoral Girdle
    2. 11.2 Bones of the Upper Limb
    3. 11.3 The Pelvic Girdle and Pelvis
    4. 11.4 Bones of the Lower Limb
    5. 11.5 Development of the Appendicular Skeleton
    6. 11.6 Classification of Joints
    7. 11.7 Fibrous Joints
    8. 11.8 Cartilaginous Joints
    9. 11.9 Synovial Joints
    10. 11.10 Types of Body Movements
    11. 11.11 Anatomy of Selected Synovial Joints
    12. 11.12 Development of Joints
  19. Digestive System
    1. 12.1 Overview of the Digestive System
    2. 12.2 Digestive System Processes and Regulation
    3. 12.3 The Mouth, Pharynx and Oesophagus
    4. 12.4 The Stomach
    5. 12.5 The Small and Large Intestines
    6. 12.6 Accessory Organs in Digestion: the Liver, Pancreas and Gallbladder
    7. 12.7 Chemical Digestion and Absorption
  20. Nervous System
    1. 13.1 Basic Structure and Function of the Nervous System
    2. 13.2 Nervous Tissue
    3. 13.3 The Function of Nervous Tissue
    4. 13.4 The Action Potential
    5. 13.5 Communication between Neurons
    6. 13.6 The Embyrologic Perspective
    7. 13.7 The Central Nervous System
    8. 13.8 Circulation and the Central Nervous System
    9. 13.9 The Peripheral Nervous System
    10. 13.10 Sensory Perception
    11. 13.11 Central Processing
    12. 13.12 Motor Responses
  21. Endocrine System
    1. 14.1 An Overview of the Endocrine System
    2. 14.2 Hormones
    3. 14.3 The Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus
    4. 14.4 The Thyroid Gland
    5. 14.5 The Parathyroid Glands
    6. 14.6 The Adrenal Glands
    7. 14.7 The Pineal Gland
    8. 14.8 Gonadal and Placental Hormones
    9. 14.9 The Endocrine Pancreas
    10. 14.10 Organs with Secondary Endocrine Functions
    11. 14.11 Development and Ageing of the Endocrine System
  22. Reproductive System
    1. 15.1 Anatomy and Physiology of the Male Reproductive System
    2. 15.2 Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System
    3. 15.3 Development of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems
  23. Pregnancy and Human Development
    1. 16.1 Fertilisation
    2. 16.2 Embryonic Development
    3. 16.3 Foetal Development
  24. Urinary System
    1. 17.1 Physical Characteristics of Urine
    2. 17.2 Gross Anatomy of Urine Transport
    3. 17.3 Gross Anatomy of the Kidney
    4. 17.4 Microscopic Anatomy of the Kidney
    5. 17.5 Physiology of Urine Formation
    6. 17.6 Tubular Reabsorption
    7. 17.7 Regulation of Renal Blood Flow
    8. 17.8 Endocrine Regulation of Kidney Function
    9. 17.9 Regulation of Fluid Volume and Composition
    10. 17.10 The Urinary System and Homeostasis
    11. 17.11 Body Fluids and Fluid Compartments
    12. 17.12 Water Balance
    13. 17.13 Electrolyte Balance
    14. 17.14 Acid-Base Balance
    15. 17.15 Disorders of Acid-Base Balance
  25. Appendix A: Unit Measurements and Calculations
  26. Appendix B: Chemical Abbreviations
  27. Glossary
  28. Bibliography

3.4 Muscle Tissue and Motion

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Identify the three types of muscle tissue
  • Compare and contrast the functions of each muscle tissue type
  • Explain how muscle tissue can enable motion

Muscle tissue is characterised by properties that allow movement. Muscle cells are excitable; they respond to a stimulus. They are contractile, meaning they can shorten and generate a pulling force. When attached between two movable objects, in other words, bones, contractions of the muscles cause the bones to move. Some muscle movement is voluntary, which means it is under conscious control. For example, a person decides to open a book and read a chapter on anatomy. Other movements are involuntary, meaning they are not under conscious control, such as the contraction of your pupil in bright light. Muscle tissue is classified into three types according to structure and function: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth (Table 3.4.1).

Table 3.4.1. Comparison of structure and properties of muscle tissue types

TissueHistologyFunctionLocation
SkeletalLong cylindrical fibre, striated, many peripherally located nucleiVoluntary movement, produces heat, protects organsAttached to bones and around entrance points to body (e.g., mouth, anus)
CardiacShort, branched, striated, single central nucleusContracts to pump bloodHeart
SmoothShort, spindle-shaped, no evident striation, single nucleus in each fibreInvoluntary movement, moves food, involuntary control of respiration, moves secretions, regulates flow of blood in arteries by contractionWalls of major organs and passage ways

Skeletal muscle is attached to bones and its contraction makes possible locomotion, facial expressions, posture, and other voluntary movements of the body. Forty percent of your body mass is made up of skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscles generate heat as a by-product of their contraction and thus participate in thermal homeostasis. Shivering is an involuntary contraction of skeletal muscles in response to perceived lower than normal body temperature. The muscle cell, or myocyte, develops from myoblasts derived from the mesoderm. Myocytes and their numbers remain relatively constant throughout life. Skeletal muscle tissue is arranged in bundles surrounded by connective tissue. Under the light microscope, muscle cells appear striated with many nuclei squeezed along the membranes. The striation is due to the regular alternation of the contractile proteins, actin and myosin, along with the structural proteins that couple the contractile proteins to connective tissues. The cells are multinucleated as a result of the fusion of the many myoblasts that fuse to form each long muscle fibre.

Cardiac muscle forms the contractile walls of the heart. The cells of cardiac muscle, known as cardiomyocytes, also appear striated under the microscope. Unlike skeletal muscle fibres, cardiomyocytes are single cells typically with a single centrally located nucleus. A principal characteristic of cardiomyocytes is that they contract on their own intrinsic rhythms without any external stimulation. Cardiomyocyte attach to one another with specialised cell junctions called intercalated discs. Intercalated discs have both anchoring junctions and gap junctions. Attached cells form long, branching cardiac muscle fibres that are, essentially, a mechanical and electrochemical syncytium allowing the cells to synchronise their actions. The cardiac muscle pumps blood through the body and is under involuntary control. The attachment junctions hold adjacent cells together across the dynamic pressures changes of the cardiac cycle.

Smooth muscle tissue contraction is responsible for involuntary movements in the internal organs. It forms the contractile component of the digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems as well as the airways and arteries. Each cell is spindle shaped with a single nucleus and no visible striations (Figure 3.4.1).

Photos of muscle tissue
Figure 3.4.1. Muscle tissue. (a) Skeletal muscle cells have prominent striation and nuclei on their periphery. (b) Smooth muscle cells have a single nucleus and no visible striations. (c) Cardiac muscle cells appear striated and have a single nucleus. From top, LM × 1600, LM × 1600, LM × 1600. (Micrographs provided by the Regents of University of Michigan Medical School © 2012).

Section Review

The three types of muscle cells are skeletal, cardiac, and smooth. Their morphologies match their specific functions in the body. Skeletal muscle is voluntary and responds to conscious stimuli. The cells are striated and multinucleated appearing as long, unbranched cylinders. Cardiac muscle is involuntary and found only in the heart. Each cell is striated with a single nucleus and they attach to one another to form long fibres. Cells are attached to one another at intercalated disks. The cells are interconnected physically and electrochemically to act as a syncytium. Cardiac muscle cells contract autonomously and involuntarily. Smooth muscle is involuntary. Each cell is a spindle-shaped fibre and contains a single nucleus. No striations are evident because the actin and myosin filaments do not align in the cytoplasm.

Review Questions

An interactive H5P element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
https://usq.pressbooks.pub/anatomy/?p=282#h5p-54

Critical Thing Questions

An interactive H5P element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
https://usq.pressbooks.pub/anatomy/?p=282#h5p-55

An interactive H5P element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
https://usq.pressbooks.pub/anatomy/?p=282#h5p-56

Click the drop down below to review the terms learned from this chapter.

An interactive H5P element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
https://usq.pressbooks.pub/anatomy/?p=282#h5p-57

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3.5 Nervous Tissue Mediates Perception and Response
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Anatomy and Physiology
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