Introduction to Muscles Flashcards
Producing Movement
Locomotion and manipulation, pumping blood, moving substances
Maintaining Posture
Constantly making small adjustments to maintain posture against the pull of gravity (muscle tone)
Stabilising Joint
Cross joint of body to improve stability, especially those with poor articulating surfaces or poor ligament
Generating Heat
All muscles generate heat as they contract. It is vital in maintaining normal body temperature, e.i. shivering when cold
Excitability
Can receive and respond to a stimulus
Contractility
Can shorten in response to stimulus
Elasticity
Can recoil or resume resting length after stretching
Extensibility
Can stretch or extend when relaxed
Myofibre
Muscle fibre
Sarcomere
Microscopic section of muscle
Epimysium
Connective tissue surrounding a muscle