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Unit 5-p3 the muscular system
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- OCR
Unit 5-p3 the muscular system
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The muscular systemThe muscular system is an organ system consisting of specialised cells called muscle fibres, these
fibres make three categories of muscle known as skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle. The muscular
system permits movement of the body, maintains posture and circulates blood throughout the body.
Together joined with the skeletal system the musculoskeletal system is formed. The main function of
the muscular system is movement, but it also helps stabilize our joints, maintain our posture, and
generate heat during activity.
The main function is summary
The main function of the muscular system is movement. This system allows movement as muscles
move body parts by contracting a relaxing. Muscles can pull bones, but they can’t push them back to
their original position. So they work in pairs of flexors and extensors as one muscle contracts
another relaxes. For example, the biceps and triceps are a pair of flexors and extensors, to contract
the triceps relaxes while the biceps contract to lift the arm.
Main components of the muscular system
The muscular system contains many muscles, however I am now going to explain a few of the
important ones including the deltoid, the pectorals, the biceps, the rectus abdominals, the
quadriceps, and the tendons.
Deltoid
The deltoid is a huge muscle that gives the shoulder its range of motion, and is responsible for lifting
the arm. There are two deltoids both located either near each shoulder in the uppermost part of the
arm. The deltoid is attached to the collarbone, upper arm, and shoulder blade through tendons.
Pectorals
The pectorals commonly known as the “pecs” are muscles which connect the front of the chest with
the upper arm and shoulder. The pectorals are primarily responsible for the movement of the
shoulder joint. The pectorals consist of two major muscles, the pectoralis major, and the pectoralis
minor.
The pectoralis major is the large muscle in the upper chest, whereas the pectoralis minor lies
beneath the major. In summary, the main pectoral muscles are predominantly used to control the
movement of the arm, with the contractions of the pectoralis major pulling on the humerus to
create vertical, lateral, and rotational motion.
Biceps
The biceps are the large muscles on either arm, situated on the front of the upper arm between the
elbow and the shoulder. In Latin the biceps are known as biceps branchii. The main function of the
biceps are flexion and outward rotation of the forearm.
Rectus abdominals
The rectus abdominals muscle, also known as the abdominals is a paired muscle running vertically on
each side of the abdomen. The abdominal muscles support the trunk, (torso), with its main function
being flexion of the trunk.
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