Structure and mechanics of skeletal muscle Flashcards
What is fasciculation?
The normal random twitch of fascicles. Excessive in motor neurone disease.
What are agonists?
The prime movers, the main muscle responsible for a particular movement eg biceps brachii
What are antagonists?
They oppose prime movers to allow smooth movement, eg triceps
What are synergists?
They assist prime movers to neutralise any extra movement and keep the movement in one direction, eg brachialis
What are fixators?
They stabilise the action of the prime mover by fixing non-moving joints
What is isotonic contraction?
Muscle has constant tension, changes length to move the load eg biceps
What are the two types of isotonic contraction?
Concentric- muscle shortens to exert force eg biceps when lifting a load with the arm
Eccentric- muscle extends to exert force eg walking downhill
What is isometric contraction?
Muscle is constant length, variable tension eg hand grip when carrying a large suitcase.
Describe Type I muscle fibres
Slow twitch Red in colour (high mitochondria) Aerobic resp High myoglobin Rich capillary supply Fatigue resistant Endurance activities eg posture
Describe Type IIa muscle fibres
Grey/pink colour Aerobic resp High myoglobin Rich capillary supply Some fatigue resistance Walking, sprinting
Describe Type IIb muscle fibres
White colour (low mitochondria) Anaerobic glycolysis Low myoglobin Poorer capillary supply Rapidly fatigued Short, intense movements eg weight lifting
What is proprioception?
Feedback control of movement.
Proprioreceptors are muscle spindles = specialised fibres that feedback to brain how much tension and stretch there is in the muscle, which allows the brain to know the limb position.
What is a motor unit?
A motor neurone and the muscle fibres it innervates. (Can be 3-3000 muscle fibres)
What is crosstalk?
Communication between neurones and muscles via signalling molecules, ie atrophy of the nerve leads to atrophy of muscle and vice versa.
Communication is via neurotrophins, cytokines and insulin-like growth factors
How is muscle tone controlled?
By motor control centres in the brain via afferent fibre signals from the muscle.
Baseline tone is present in muscle at rest due to motor neurone activity and muscle elasticity.