NERVOUS, SKELETAL, AND MUSCULAR SYSTEMS Flashcards
SKELETAL MUSCLE
the type of muscle tissue that connects bones and generates the force that creates movement
FASCIA
connective tissue that surrounds muscles and bones
EPIMYSIUM
inner layer of fascia that directly surrounds an entire muscle, commonly referred to as “deep fascia”
FASCICLES
larges bundles of fibers within a muscle, surrounded by perimysium
PERIMYSIUM
connective tissue surrounding fascicle
ENDOMYSIUM
connective tissue that wraps around individual muscle fibers within a fascicle
TENDONS
tendons connect muscles to bones.
STRAIN
when a tendon is overstretched or torn
LIGAMENTS
ligaments connect bones to bones
SPRAIN
when a ligament is overstretched or torn
GLYCOGEN
glucose that is deposited and stored in bodily tissues, such as liver and muscle cells. the storage form of carbohydrate
MYOGLOBIN
protein based molecule that carries oxygen molecules into the muscles
MYOFIBRILS
the contractile components of a muscle cell, myofilaments are contained within a myofibril
MYOFILAMENTS
the filaments of a myofibril, including actin and myosin
ACTIN
the thin stringlike myofilament that acts along with myosin to produce muscular contraction
MYOSIN
the thick myofilament that acts along with actin to produce muscular contraction
SARCOMERE
the structural unit of a microfibril composed of actin and myosin filaments between two Z lines
Z-LINES
the meeting point of each sarcomere
NEURAL ACTIVATION
the nervous systems signal that tells a muscle to contract
NERUOMUSCULAR JUNCTION
the specialized site where the nervous system communicates directly with with muscle fibers
SYNAPSE
a junction or small gap between the motor neuron and muscle cells
MOTOR UNIT
a motor neuron and all of the muscle fibers that It innervates
ACTION POTENTIAL
nerve impulse that is relayed from the central nervous system, through the peripheral nervous system and into the muscle across the neuromuscular junction
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
chemical messengers that cross the synapse between neuron and muscle and assist with nerve transmission
ACETYLCHOLINE (ACH)
a neurotransmitter that helps the action potential cross the synapse into the muscle, which initiates the steps in a muscle contraction
SLIDING FILAMENT THEORY
the series of steps in a muscle contraction where myosin and actin filaments slide past each other to produce a muscle contraction, shortening the entire length of the sarcomere
POWER STROKE
the myosin heads bind to actin and pull them towards the sarcomere center, which slides the filaments past each other, shortening the muscle
ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE (ATP)
a high energy molecule that serves as the main form of energy in the human body
RESTING LENGTH
the length of a muscle when it is not actively contracting or being stretched
TYPE 1 MUSCLE FIBERS
muscle fibers that are small in size, generate lower amounts of force, and are more resistant to fatigue
TYPE 2 MUSCLE FIBERS
muscle fibers that are larger in size, generate higher amounts of force, and are quicker to fatique
ALL-OR-NOTHING PRINCIPAL
motor units cannot vary the amount of force they generate, they either contract maximally or not at all
CAPILLARIES
the smallest blood vessels and the site of exchange of elements between the blood and the tissues
HUMAN MOVEMENT SYSTEM (HMS)
the collective components and structures that work together to move the body: the nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems.
KINETIC CHAIN
a concept that describes the human body as a chain of interdependent links that work together to perform movement
NERVOUS SYSTEM
a network of specialized cells called neurons that transmit and coordinate signals, providing a communication network within the human body
NEURON
specialized cell that is the functional unit of the nervous system
NUCLEUS
cellular structure or organelle that contains the majority of the cell’s genetic material in the form of chromosones
ORGANELLES
tiny cellular structures that perform specific functions within the cell. (mitochondria, ribosomes, etc.)
MITOCHONDRIA
the parts of the cell that use nutrients to create energy for the cell; commonly known as the powerhouses of the cell
EFFECTOR SITES
a part of the body such as a muscle or organ that receives a signal from a neuron to produce a physiological response
ELECTROLYTES
minerals that have an electrical charge to help transmit nerve impulses throughout the body, such as sodium potassium and magnesium
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYTEM (CNS)
a division of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)
nerves that connect the rest of the body to the CNS
AFFERENT PATHWAY
sensory pathway that relays information to the CNS
EFFERENT PATHWAY
A motor pathway that relays information from the central nervous system to the rest of the body.
INTERNEURONS
Neurons located within the spinal cord and brain that transmit impulses between afferent and efferent neurons.
MECHANORECEPTORS
specialized structures that respond to mechanical forces (touch and pressure) within tissues and then transmit signals through sensory nerves
SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
nerves that serve the outer areas of the body and skeletal muscle and are largely responsible for the voluntary control of movement
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
A division of the peripheral nervous system that supplies neural input to organs that run the involuntary processes of the body (e.g., circulating blood, digesting food, producing hormones).
SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that works to increase neural activity and put the body in a heightened state.
PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that works to decrease neural activity and put the body in a more relaxed state.
SENSORY FUNCTION
Ability of the nervous system to sense changes in either the internal or external environment
PROPRIOCEPTION
The body’s ability to naturally sense its general orientation and relative position of its parts.
INTEGRATIVE FUNCTION
The ability of the nervous system to analyze and interpret the sensory information to allow for proper decision-making, which produces an appropriate response.
MOTOR FUNCTION
The neuromuscular (or nervous and muscular systems) response to the integrated sensory information.
MUSCLE SPINDLES
Sensory receptors sensitive to change in length of the muscle and the rate of that change.
STRETCH REFLEX
Neurological signal from the muscle spindle that causes a muscle to contract to prevent excessive lengthening.
GOLGI TENDON ORGAN (GTO)
A specialized sensory receptor located at the point where skeletal muscle fibers insert into the tendons of skeletal muscle; sensitive to changes in muscular tension and rate of tension change.
JOINT RECEPTORS
Receptors located in and around the joint capsule that respond to pressure, acceleration, and deceleration of the joint.
NEUROPLASTICITY
The concept that the brain will continually change or grow, reforming neural pathways throughout an individual’s entire life span.
NEUROCIRCUITRY
the interconnection of neurons in the brain and spinal cord
MOTOR SKILLS
specific movements through the coordinated effort of the sensory and motor subsystems
SKELETAL SYSTEM
a description of the bones in the body
OSTEOPOROSIS
A condition of reduced bone mineral density, which increases risk of bone fracture.
JOINTS
The sites where two bones meet and movement occurs as a result of muscle contraction.
AXIAL SKELETON
A division of the skeletal system consisting of the skull, the rib cage, and the vertebral column.
APPENDICULAR SKELETON
A division of the skeletal system consisting of the arms, legs, and pelvic girdle.
LEVERS
rigid rods where muscles attach
REMODELING
The process by which bone is constantly renewed by the resorption and formation of the bone structure.
OSTEOCLASTS
Special cells that break down and remove old bone tissue.
OSTEOBLASTS
Special cells that form and lay down new bone tissue.
WOLFF’S LAW
Scientific explanation of how remodeling (new bone growth) occurs along the lines of stress placed on the bone.
LONG BONES
long and cylindrical with irregular or widened ends (HUMERUS, FEMUR)
SHORT BONES
similar in length and width, almost cubical in shape (CARPALS, TARSALS)
FLAT BONES
thin protective surfaces that provide broad surfaces for muscles to attach (SCAPULAE, STERNUM, RIBS)
IRREGULAR BONES
unique shape and function from other bones (VERTEBRAE)
SESAMOID BONES
small rounded bones embedded in joint capsule or found in locations where a tendon passes over a joint (PATELLA)
BONE DEPRESSIONS
flattened or indented portions of bone
BONE PROCESSES
Projections protruding from the bone where tendons and ligaments can attach.
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Bones that house the spinal cord; consists of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral regions.
SPINAL CORD
bundle of nerves housed within the vertebrae
INTEVERTEBRAL DISCS
Fibrous cartilage structures between vertebrae that act as shock absorbers and assist with movement.
NEUTRAL SPINE
Represents a position in which the vertebrae and associated structures are under the least amount of load and can most optimally support functional movement.
OSTEOKINEMATICS
movement of a limb that is visible
ARTHROKINEMATICS
The description of joint surface movement; consists of three major types: roll, slide, and spin.
SYNOVIAL JOINTS
a joint with a fluid filled joint capsule
NONAXIAL
A gliding joint that moves in only one plane, either back and forth or side to side.
NONSYNOVIAL JOINTS
Joints that have no joint capsule, fibrous connective tissue, or cartilage in the uniting structure.
LIGAMENT
a fibrous connective tissue that connects bone to bone
COLLAGEN
A protein found in connective tissue, muscles, and skin that provides strength and structure. It is the most abundant protein in the human body.
ELASTIN
A protein that provides elasticity to skin, tendons, ligaments, and other structures.
GROWTH PLATE
A specialized cartilage disc located in the epiphysis that is responsible for longitudinal bone growth.
