The musculoskeletal system of humans is one of the most beautifully designed structures that provides the required movement to the body. This system is a beautiful composition of two of the major system of the human body. The muscular system includes all the voluntary and involuntary muscles in the body and the skeletal system provides the body with a proper structure and shape. The Human Musculoskeletal System brings flexibility, making the human body more agile. This system not only gives the body the freedom to move but also gives the body shape and support. In this article, let’s explore the two major systems that the human musculoskeletal system involves:
Human Muscular System
All types of muscles in the body are a part of the human muscular system. The system is responsible for giving shape, stability, and support to the body. Human muscles are the ones that give the body flexibility and the liberty to do all the actions. All the voluntary and involuntary actions are directly or indirectly connected to the muscles.
The muscular system is an organ system made from muscle tissue. These tissues are composed of specialised contractile tissue. Interestingly the human muscular system consists of only three types of muscles:
- Cardiac Muscles: As the name of the muscles suggests the responsibility of the muscles. These tissues are involuntary striated muscles, which give the heart the ability to pump blood throughout the body. These muscles are also called heart muscles or myocardium because it makes up the wall of the heart.
- Smooth Muscles: Every organ of the body needs blood the blood vessels that take the blood everywhere in the body are made of smooth muscles. These muscles are involuntary muscles and unliked striated muscles, smooth muscles contracts automatically and smoothly.
- Skeletal Muscles: Skeletal muscles are the muscles that are attached to the bones providing the required voluntary movement to the body parts. Unlike other muscle tissue, these muscles are responsible for all the voluntary movement of the body. Moreover, it compromises a total of 30 to 40 % of the total body mass of an average person. Along with that, these muscles are also responsible for maintaining the posture of the body, controlling internal movement, generating heat and stabilising bones and joints.
Human Skeletal System
The Human Skeletal System as the name suggests composes majorly of bones. The human skeleton gives the body a proper structure and shape. The skeletal system is also responsible for giving support to the body organs in a way that allows them to function smoothly.
Bone articulates with other bones to form joints which not only bring flexibility to the body but also provide the liberty to freely be mobile at will. The human body composes of 206 bones and cartilages that join one bone with another and provides a smooth surface to avoid friction. Apart from cartilages, the bones are supported by ligaments, tendons, bursae and muscles. However, the skeletal system composes of two major types of skeleton Axial Skeleton and Appendicular Skeleton:
- Axial Skeleton: The axial skeleton in the muscular system includes the bone that is present along the long axis of the body. The vertebral column, the bones that make up the skull and the bones of the thoracic cage are part of the axial skeleton. Most of the bones in the axial skeleton are involuntary and voluntary.
- Appendicular Skeleton: Bones present on the shoulder region and the pelvic girdle are a part of the appendicular skeleton. The bones of the upper and lower extremities of the body are also a part of the appendicular skeleton.
Understanding Human Bones and Muscles Better
Bones and muscles together make a wonderful pair that gives the human body the flexibility to move. Bones are made of dense connective tissue and are rigid structures. Whereas, muscles are soft connective that supports all bodily functions and helps the joints and bones in the movements.
Conclusion
In the Muscles and skeletal system, joints play a vital role in providing the body with the movement it requires and the flexibility that the body needs for all the involuntary movements. Other than all the action-oriented actions, the skeleton and muscular system serves a variety of function in the body. For example, some of the major functions muscular system are flexion and extension, Adduction and Abduction, Rotation, Supination and Pronation. And some of the major functions of the skeletal system are the generation of force for the biomechanical basis of movement, protection, metabolic function and hematopoiesis.