ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF

MUSCLE

Guided By: Mrs. Chandrika

Presented: Bijaya Shrestha

Pooja Jain
 OUTLINE
1. Introduction
2. Classification of muscles
3. Differences
4. Anatomy of muscular system
5. Skeletal muscle
i. Anatomy
ii. Types
iii. Structure
iv. Nerve supply
v. Properties
 vi. Mechanism of contraction
vii. Neuromuscular junction

6. Role of muscle in exercise

7. Clinical significance
MUSCULAR SYSTEM
Introduction:
The muscular system is responsible for the movement of the
human body. There are more than 600 muscles in our body.
Muscles perform many useful functions and help us doing
everything in day to day life.
CLASSIFICATON OF MUSCLES
1. Depending upon the presence
or absence of striation.
i. Striated muscle: muscle
which has large number of
striation.
ii. Non-striaed muscle:
which doesn’t have cross
striations.
2. Depending upon the control.
i. Voluntary muscle: muscle that is controlled by the will
ii. Involuntary muscle: muscle that cannot be controlled by the will
3. Depending upon the
function:
i. Skeletal muscle:
is situated in association
with bones forming the skeletal
system.
ii. Cardiac muscle:
forms the musculature of
the heart.
iii. Smooth/visceral
muscles:
situated in association of
viscera.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SMOOTH,
CARDIAC AND SKELETAL MUSCLES.
Features Skeletal Muscle Cardiac Muscle Smooth Muscle

Location In association with bones In the heart In the visceral organs

Shape Cylindrical and unbranched Branched Spindle, unbranched

Length 1cm to 4cm 80µ o 100µ 50µ to 200µ

Diameter 10µ to 100µ 15µ to 20µ 2µ to 5µ

Number of nucleus More than one One One

Myofibrils Present Present Absent

Sarcomere Present Present Absent

Troponin Present Present Absent

‘T’ Tubules Long and thin Short and broad Absent

Depolarization Upon stimulation Spontaneous Spontaneous

Features Skeletal Muscle Cardiac Muscle Smooth Muscle
Fatigue Possible Not possible Not possible
Summation Possible Not possible Possible
Resting membrane Stable Stable Unstable
Potential

For trigger of Troponin Troponin Clamodium

contraction, calcium
binds with

Source of calcium Sarcoplasmic reticulum Sarcoplasmic reticulum Extracellular

Speed of contraction Fast Intermediate Slow

Neuromuscular Well defined Not well defined Not well defined

junction
Action Voluntary action Involuntary action Involuntary action

Control Only neurogenic Myogenic Neurogenic and

myogenic
Nerve supply Somatic nerves Automatic nerves Automatic nerves
ANATOMY OF SKELETAL MUSCLE
 Skeletal muscular system is
arranged into groups of
agonists and antagonists
muscles that provide efficient
and controlled movement
which is achieved through
the complex interaction of
the musculoskeletal system
with the pyramidal, extra
pyramidal and sensory
components of nervous
system.
GROSS ANATOMY OF SKELETAL MUSCLE
 Skeletal muscles are attached to two or more bones across a joint
through a tendon, so the muscle serves to move parts of those
bones closer to each other.
 It can vary greatly in size depending on location and
responsibility. Muscle may measures as small as 2mm (eg,
stapedius muscle) or up to 2 feet (eg, large muscles of thigh).
 Likewise, the number of muscle fibers within each of these
muscles as well as the shape of muscles can also vary greatly.
TYPES OF SKELETAL MUSCLES

Skeletal muscles are named based on many different factors, including their
location, origin and insertion, number of origins, shape, size, direction, and
function.
1. Location: e.g. abdominis and transverse abdominis, tibialis anterior
2. Origin and Insertion: e.g. sternocleidomastoid , temporalis.
3. Number of Origins: e.g. biceps, triceps and quadriceps.
4. Shape, Size, and Direction:
e.g., Shape- deltoids , rhomboid major.
Size- gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus.
Direction- rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis
5. Function: e.g. flexor group, supinator.
GROUP ACTION IN SKELETAL MUSCLE

Skeletal muscles work in groups to produce precise movements. The

muscle that produces any particular movement of the body is
known as an agonist or prime mover. The agonist always pairs
with an antagonist muscle that produces the opposite effect on the
same bones. For example, the biceps brachi muscle flexes the arm
at the elbow. As the antagonist for this motion, the triceps brachi
muscle extends the arm at the elbow.
Synergists are muscles that help to stabilize a movement and reduce
extraneous movements.
STRUCTURE OF SKELETAL MUSCLE
Tissue Type Description of Tissue Type

Periosteum: Outer layer of bone in which ligaments and tendons attached.

Tendon: They are tough pale colored cords formed from many parallel
bundles of collagen fibers.
Fascia: It is a sheets or broad bands of fibrous connective tissue that cover
muscles or organs, forming an outer-wrapping.
Epimysium: Outermost layer & is a fibrous sheath that surrounds and protects
entire muscle.
Perimysium Middle layer of muscular structure and is fibrous elastic tissue that
surrounds muscle fibers called fasicles.
Fascicle: Fascicles refers to a ‘bundle’, such as a bundle of muscle fibers.
Endomysium: It is fine connective tissue sheath that surrounds/covers each
single/individual muscle fiber.
Muscle fiber: Muscle fibers of muscle cells are special cells that are able to
contract causing movements.
Myofibril: Myofibrils are small contractile filaments located within the
cytoplasm of striated muscle cells causing the distinctive
appearance of skeletal muscle because they consist of bands of
alternating high and low refractive index, which gives the muscles
their striped appearance.
MUSCLE FIBER
 Each ,muscle cell or fiber is cylindrical in shape
 Avg. length of fiber is 3cm, (Varies between 1
to 4 cm).
 Diameter of muscle fiber varies from 10 to
100µ.
 Each muscle fiber is enclosed by a cell
membrane called plasma membrane that lies
beneath the endomysium. It is also called
sarcolemma.
 The cytoplasm of the muscle is known as
sarcoplasm. Many structures are embeded
within the sarcoplasm like, Nuclei, Myofibril,
Golgi apparatus, Mitochondria, Sarcoplasmic
reticulum, Ribosomes, Glycogen droplets,
Occasional lipid droplets.
TYPES OF MUSCLE FIBER

Skeletal muscle fibers can be divided into two types based on how they produce
and use energy: Type I (red muscle) and Type II (pale muscle)
Type II fibers are broken down into two subgroups: Type II A and Type II B.
 MYOFIBRIL

Myofibril or myofibrillae are the fine parallel filaments present in sarcoplasm

of the muscle cell. The myofibrils run through the entire length of the
muscle fiber.
Microscopic structure of myofibril:
Light microscopic studies shows that, each myofibril consist of two alternating
bands:
1. Light Band or ‘I’ band:
The light band is isotropic in nature. When the polarized light is passed
through the muscle fiber at this area the light rays are refracted at the
same angle.
‘I’ band is divided into two portions by means of a narrow and dark line
called ‘Z’ line or ‘Z’ band.
 FIGURE: A. One muscle cell; B. One myofibril.

2. Dark Band or ‘A’ Band:

The light band is anisotropic in nature. When the polarized light is
passed through the muscle fiber at this area the light rays are refracted at
the different directions
 SARCOMERE
 Definition:
Sarcomere is the structural and functional unit of the skeletal muscle. It is also
called the basic contractile unit of muscle.
 Extent:
Each sarcomere extends between two ‘Z’ lines of myofibril,. Thus, each
myofibril contains many sarcomeres arranged in series throughout its length.
When the muscle is in relaxed state, the average length of each sarcomere is 2-3
microns.
 CONTINUE
 Components:
Each myofibril consists of an
alternate dark ‘A’ band and light ‘I’
band (Fig). In the middle of ‘A’
band, there is a light area called ‘H’
zone (H = hell = light – in
German, H = Henson –
discoverer). In the middle of ‘H’
zone lies the middle part of myosin
filament. This is called ‘M’ line (in
German-mittel = middle). ‘M’ line
is formed by myosin binding
proteins.
FIGURE : Sarcomere. A = A band, I = I
band.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF
SARCOMERE
Electron microscopic studies reveal that the sarcomere consists of many
thread like structures called myofilaments. Myofilaments are of two
types:

1. Actin Flaments:
Actin filaments are the thin filaments
with a diameter of 20 Å and a length of
1 μ. These filaments extend from either
side of the ‘Z’ lines, run across ‘I’ band
and enter into ‘A’ band up to ‘H’ zone.
2. Myosin Filament:
Myosin filaments are thick filaments
with a diameter of 115 Å and a length of
1.5 μ. These filaments are situated n ‘A’
band.
Fig: A Sarcomere in resting muscle. B Contracted
muscle; B. During contraction; Z lines come close, H zone
and I band are reduced and no change in A band.
CONTRACTILE ELEMENTS (PROTEINS) OF MUSCLE

The myosin filaments are formed by myosin molecules. The actin filaments are
formed by three types of proteins called actin, tropomyosin and troponin. These
four proteins together constitute the muscle proteins or the contractile elements
of the muscle.
 Other protein of the muscle:

i. Actinin
ii. Desmin
iii. Nebulin
iv. Tinin
v. Dystrophin
COMPOSITION OF MUSCLE

FIGURE : Composition of skeletal muscle

 NERVE SUPPLY TO SKELETAL MUSCLE

 the nerves to skeletal muscles are branches of mixed peripheral

nerves. The branches enter the muscles about one third of the way
along their length, at motor points.
 The nerve supply branches within the muscle belly, forming a
plexus from which groups of axons emerge to supply the muscle
fibers. The axons supply single motor endplates placed about
halfway along the muscle fibers
MOTOR UNIT

A motor unit is a single motor nerve innervating a group of muscle fibers.

The number of muscle fibers in a motor unit is about 20 to 50.
A motor unit comprises a motor neuron in the spinal cord or brainstem together
with the squad of muscle fibers it innervates.

 Recruitment of motor unit:

A gradual increase in the strength of stimulus increases the force of contraction.
This is due to the activation of more and more motor units, this phenomenon is
recruitment of motor units.
PROPERTIES OF SKELETAL MUSCLES

1. Excitability:
Definition: Excitability is defined as the reaction or response of a tissue to
irritation or stimulation. It is a physicochemical change.
Stimulus: Stimulus is the change in environment. It is defined as an agent or
influence or act, which causes the response in an excitable tissue.
Types of stimulus:
there are types of stimuli , which can excite a living tissue,
i. Mechanical stimulus
ii. Electrical stimulation
iii. Thermal institutions
iv. Chemical stimulus
CONTINUE
 QUALITIES OF STIMULUS
To excite a tissue, the stimulus must possess two characters:
I. Intensity or strength
II. Duration.
2. CONTRACTILITY

Contractility is the response of the muscle to a stimulus. Contraction is defined as

the internal events of muscle with change in either length or tension of the
muscle fibers.
 Types of contraction
It is classified into two types based on change in either the length or ension of the
muscle fibers.
i. Isotonic contraction
ii. Isometric contraction
  SIMPLE MUSCLE CONTRACTION
OR TWITCH OR CURVE

The contractile property of the muscle is studied called muscle-nerve preparation.

When the stimulus with threshold strength is applied, the muscle contracts and
then relaxes. These activities are recorded graphically by using suitable
instruments. The contraction is recorded as upward deflection from the base
line. And, relaxation is recorded as downward deflection back to the base line.

Simple contraction of the muscle is called simple muscle twitch and the graphical
recording of this is called simple muscle curve.
FIGURE 30-2: Isotonic simple muscle curve
PS = Point of stimulus
PC = Point of contraction
PMC = Point of maximum contraction
PMR = Point of maximum relaxation
LP = Latent period (0.01 sec)
CP = Contraction period (0.04 sec)
RP = Relaxation period (0.05 sec)
PERIODS OF SIMPLE MUSCLE CURVE
 All the four points mentioned above divide the entire simple
muscle curve into three periods:
1. Latent period (LP)
2. Contraction period (CP)
3. Relaxation period (RP).
 FACTORS AFFECTING FORCE OF
CONTRACTION
Force of contraction of the skeletal muscle is affected by the
following factors:
1. Strength of stimulus
2. Number of stimulus
3. Temperature
4. Load.
 EFFECTS OF MULTIPLE STIMULI
i. Fatigue:
Fatigue is defined as the decrease in muscular activity due to repeated stimuli.
ii. Tetanus:
Tetanus is defined as the sustained contraction of muscle due to repeated
stimuli with high frequency.
NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION
Definition:
• A specialized area where a motor nerve ends on a skeletal muscle fiber.
It consists of:
• Pre junctional membrane
• Synaptic cleft or gutter
• Motor end plate.
Fig: NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION
 TRANSMISSION OF IMPULSES ACROSS
THE JUNCTION
Neuromuscular transmission is transfer of information from motor nerve
ending to muscle fiber through nmj.
MECHANISM:
• Impulses- nerve terminal, ↑ membrane permeability to calcium ions.
• Ca ions enter the nerve terminal from ECF
• Ca binds to the anchoring proteins- releasing ach. Ach crosses the cleft-
receptor binding- postjunctional membrane.
• ↑ membrane permeability to sodium ions.
• Results in end-plate potential( EPP).
• EPP on reaching the firing level produces action potential.
• Action potential travels over sarcoplasmic reticulum – activate contractile
process in the muscle.
 NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING AGENTS
• Succinylcholine
• Botulinum toxin
• Physostigmine and neostigmine
• Organophosphorous compounds.
• These agents block the ach in the motor end plate by competitive binding
and prevents action of ach.
 APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
• Myasthenia gravis • Lambert eaton
syndrome
• Autoimmune- antibodies against
the muscle receptor for ach. • Antibodies against the nerve
• Starts at eyes and moves down. where ach is released.
• Weakness worsens upon activity. • Starts at extremities and moves
up.
• Therapy is by using
• Weakness improves upon activity.
anticholinesterases.
• Therapy is by using
aminopyridines.
NEUROMUSCULAR TRANSMISSION
 MECHANISM OF MUSCLE CONTRACTION
• Stimulation of motor nerve – produces an impulse.
• The impulse travels through nerve, crosses nmj and activates motor end
plate.
• Formation of action potential at motor end plate
• Action potential travels along the sarcolemma and enters the muscle
through T-tubules.
• On reaching the terminal vesicle, there is release of calcium ions.
• Binding of calcium ions on troponin molecule. Results in exposing active
binding site on actin molecule.
• Attracting myosin on actin molecule
• ATP molecules bind to the head of myosin
• ATP is converted to ADP and phosphate with the release of energy.
• The energy liberated helps in sliding of thin filaments over myosin
filament resulting in muscle contraction.
• During relaxation, calcium ions are separated from troponin molecule and
pumped back in to the terminal cistern. The changes occuring during
contraction are reversed.
 ROLE OF MUSCLE IN EXERCISE

• Exercise is a stressful condition that calls for adjustment in functioning of

various systems.
• Muscle derives its energy for its metabolic activities from,
1.ATP
2.phosphocreatine
3.glycogen- lactic acid system
4. aerobic system
• Glycogen used during exercise is resynthesized from carbohydrates and
fats taken in the diet.
• Training of the muscle increases its bulk and it undergoes hypertrophy and
this increases the efficiency of the muscle.
 MUSCULAR ENDURANCE

• The ability to maintain muscular activity for a prolonged period is known

as muscular endurance.
• ST fibers have a high level of aerobic endurance.
• As a result they are recruited most often during low intensity endurance
events (eg: marathon and running) and during most daily activities where
the muscle force requirement is low (eg: walking)

• FT fibers have a poor aerobic endurance

• ATP is formed through anaerobic pathways
• Used mainly during shorter, higher intensity endurance events such as the
mile run or the 400-m swim.
 RESPIRATORY CHANGES

• Exercise increases oxygen consumption and pulmonary ventilation.

• Diffusing capacity of oxygen through the respiratory membrane increases
with training.
• The blood gases do not show significant variation in its concentration even
in severe exercise.
 CARDIOVASCULAR CHANGES

• The increased demand warrants increase in the blood flow to the muscles.
• Normal blood flow of the resting skeletal muscle is 2-4ml per 100gm per
min.
• During muscular contraction the blood flow increases 30 fold.
• Exercise training causes hypertrophy of cardiac muscles and hence
increases its pumping activities.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Tones of muscle can be altered in different conditions.
1. Hypertonia: It is a state of muscle where tone is increased. (rigidity and
spasticity).
Seen in UMN Lesions and parkinsonism.
2. Hypotonia: reduction in the tone (flaccidity).
Seen in LMN Lesions
3. Muscle cramps: Involuntary tetanic contraction of muscles. Cause due to
electrolyte imbalance surrounding the muscle.
4. Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy (DMD):
Genetic disorder, common in males caused by a missing fragment in the x
chromosme .
Degenerative disease leading to progressive wasting of muscle and loss of
ability to contract.
CONTINUE

5. Rigor mortis:
State of rigidity or stiffness developed in muscle after death. Begins within 3-
4 hours and continue up to 24 hours. After death there is exhaustion of ATP.

6. Denervation Hypersensitivity:
When a motor nerve supplying the muscle is cut, muscle degenerates and
undergoes atrophy. It exhibits abnormal excitability responding to circulating
acetylcholine.
REFERENCES:
1. Guyton & Haul; Text book of medical physiology; Eleventh
edition.
2. K Sembulingam; Prema sembulingam: Essentials of medical
physiology; Fifth edition.
3. D.venkatesh; H.H Sudhakar, Basics of medical physiology
second edition.
4. Wilmore; David L.costill; physiology of sports and exercise;
third edition.
5. Jasvinder Chawla, MD, MBA Chief of Neurology, Hines
Veterans Affairs Hospital. Muscular System Anatomy; Sep
11, 2015.
THANK YOU