What is the difference between skeletal and muscular system

How do muscles grow? Len Kravitz, Ph. Muscle Attachment and Actions. Muscular System Pathologies. When you select "Subscribe" you will start receiving our email newsletter. Use the links at the bottom of any email to manage the type of emails you receive or to unsubscribe. See our privacy policy for additional details. Learn Site. Artery walls include smooth muscle that relaxes and contracts to move blood through the body 3. Get our awesome anatomy emails! About News Contact. All Rights Reserved.

Glucose from carbohydrates in our diet fuels our muscles. To work properly, muscle tissue also needs particular minerals, electrolytes and other dietary substances such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. A range of problems can affect muscles — these are collectively known as myopathy. Muscle disorders may cause weakness, pain or even paralysis. Different types of muscle The three main types of muscle include: Skeletal muscle — the specialised tissue that is attached to bones and allows movement.

Together, skeletal muscles and bones are called the musculoskeletal system also known as the locomotor system. Generally speaking, skeletal muscle is grouped into opposing pairs such as the biceps and triceps on the front and back of the upper arm.

Skeletal muscles are under our conscious control, which is why they are also known as voluntary muscles. Another term is striated muscles, since the tissue looks striped when viewed under a microscope. Smooth muscle — located in various internal structures including the digestive tract, uterus and blood vessels such as arteries.

Smooth muscle is arranged in layered sheets that contract in waves along the length of the structure. Another common term is involuntary muscle, since the motion of smooth muscle happens without our conscious awareness. Cardiac muscle — the muscle specific to the heart. The heart contracts and relaxes without our conscious awareness. Make-up of muscle Skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle have very different functions, but they share the same basic composition.

A muscle is made up of thousands of elastic fibres bundled tightly together. Each bundle is wrapped in a thin transparent membrane called a perimysium. An individual muscle fibre is made up of blocks of proteins called myofibrils, which contain a specialised protein myoglobin and molecules to provide the oxygen and energy required for muscle contraction.

Each myofibril contains filaments that fold together when given the signal to contract. This shortens the length of the muscle fibre which, in turn, shortens the entire muscle if enough fibres are stimulated at the same time.

The neuromuscular system The brain, nerves and skeletal muscles work together to cause movement. This is collectively known as the neuromuscular system.

A typical muscle is serviced by anywhere between 50 and or more branches of specialised nerve cells called motor neurones. The skeletal portion of the system serves as the main storage depot for calcium and phosphorus. It also contains critical components of the hematopoietic system blood cell production. The muscles of the muscular system keep bones in place; they also play a role in movement of the bones by contracting and pulling on the bones, allowing for movements as diverse as standing, walking, running, and grasping items.

To allow motion, different bones are connected by joints. Within these joints, bones are connected to other bones and muscle fibers via connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments. Cartilage prevents the bone ends from rubbing directly on each other. Muscles contract bunch up to move the bone attached at the joint. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders that may adversely affect the function and overall effectiveness of the system exist and can be detrimental to the body.