Understanding the Muscle System and Its Functions for the Body

Humans can move thanks to the muscular system. Muscles are formed from special cells called muscle fibers. In moving the body, the muscles work together with other supporters. Muscles are attached to bones, forming internal organs, or blood vessels, then together work to move organs. Without you knowing it, all parts of the body have muscles. There are muscles in charge of doing large movements, there are also muscles that play a role in making smaller and smoother movements. The latter such as blinking movements and facial expressions.

Different Types of Muscles

There are three types of muscles in the human body's muscular system, namely:

• Cardiac muscle

As the name implies, this muscle works in the heart area. The muscles work to pump blood out of the heart, circulate throughout the body, then relax the muscles back and let the blood get back into the heart. And so on. The nature of the heart muscle is autonomous or works on its own, without the need for your help to do or move.

• Smooth muscle

Like the heart muscle, smooth muscle also works by itself without the need for your help, so it is often called involuntary muscle, which works unnoticed. This muscle works at the command of the brain and the body's needs. This muscle is layered and is found throughout the body. For example, in the digestive tract, smooth muscle that works in helping food travel. Smooth muscle contained in the bladder, works to hold and release urine.

• Skeletal muscle

In the muscular system, skeletal muscle is the muscle that you can feel the most. This muscle works based on your movements that are conscious and purposeful (voluntary). Together with the bones and tendons, the muscles do the movements that you do. The size of the skeletal muscles varies. Some are big and strong, so they can do big movements. For example, the muscles in your back, near your spine, which allow you to stand up straight. There are also muscles that are not large but can make special movements. An example is the neck muscles, can make head movements, support the head, and nod.

Muscle Function

Muscle systems that exist throughout the body also have different functions. For more details, you can listen to the information below:

• Perform body movements

The main function of the muscular system in the body is to make movements. When you make a movement, the muscles follow the direction of the motion you intended, together with the bones and tendons.

• Maintain body balance

The muscular system makes the body stable, because the muscles protect the important parts that are tasked to make the body upright, namely the back. There are muscles called the core muscles, namely the back, abdomen, and pelvis. The stronger these core muscles, the body will be more stable so that it can maintain balance.

• Adjust posture

Muscles also function in regulating body posture. If there are complaints or conditions of improper muscle such as strained hip muscles or stiff neck muscles, it will affect body posture. Conversely, if the body posture is not maintained properly, it will make muscles weaker and joints ache, for example the habit of sitting or walking bent.

• Help the birthing process

When you are pregnant, the smooth muscles in the uterus work to support the uterus that continues to grow as the fetus gains weight. When it's time to give birth, this smooth muscle pushes the baby toward the birth canal, by contraction.

• Respiratory

When you breathe, there is a muscular system that works. Diaphragms are muscles used for breathing. When breathing daily, the diaphragm muscles work on their own. When you are breathing heavier, such as running or breathing, the diaphragm muscles need help from other body muscles. Such as back muscles, abdominal muscles, or neck muscles.

• Vision

You might not realize that there is a series of muscles in the eye. This smooth muscle makes you able to move your eyes like blinking and makes you able to adjust your visibility and move your eyeballs in any direction. If there is damage to these muscles, then you can experience vision problems.

During this time you may only realize that the muscular system is just the muscles that can be moved or controlled by you. However, in fact there are still many types of muscles whose function is very important without being felt. By maintaining overall body health, the performance of the muscular system will remain optimal.