Humans can move thanks to the muscular system, as well as the organs in the human body. Muscles are made up of specialized cells called muscle fibers. Some of these cells are attached to bones and some form internal organs or blood vessels.
Without you knowing it, your entire body has 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 are for example blinking movements and facial expressions.
But not only that, muscles are also found in organs in the body that play an as important role as the muscles of the limbs.
Then, the Muscle System Includes What Muscles?
Muscle is one part of the musculoskeletal system in the body. There are three types of muscles in the muscular system of the human body, including:
Cardiac muscle
As the name implies, this muscle builds the heart organ. This muscle works to pump blood out of the heart and circulates throughout the body, then the muscle relaxes again and allows blood to return to the heart. And so on.
The nature of the heart muscle is autonomous or works by itself, without the need for your help to perform or move.
Smooth muscle
Like cardiac muscle, smooth muscle also works on its own without needing your help. This muscle works on the orders of the brain and the needs of the body. Smooth muscle is spread throughout the body.
For example, in the digestive tract, smooth muscles work in helping the passage of food. The smooth muscles in the bladder work to hold and release urine.
Skeletal muscles
Within the muscular system, skeletal muscles are the muscles you can feel the most presence. This muscle works based on your conscious desires and goals. Along with bones and tendons, muscles do the movements you make.
Skeletal muscles vary in size. Some are big and strong, so they can make big movements. For example, the muscles in your back (near your spine) that allow you to stand up straight.
There are also muscles that are not large, but can perform special movements. An example is the neck muscles that can perform head rotation, head support, and nodding.
Muscle System Function
The muscular system throughout the body also has different functions. For more details, you can listen to the information below:
1. Do body movements
The main function of the muscular system in the body is to carry out movement. When you want to make a movement, the brain will send a signal to the muscles to contract in such a way and produce the movement you want.
2. Maintain body balance
There are muscles called core muscles, namely in the back, abdomen, and pelvis. The stronger these core muscles, the more stable the body will be, so it is able to maintain balance.
3. Adjust the posture
Muscles also function in regulating body posture. The strength of the muscles in your shoulders, back, hips and knees determines your posture. So, certain weakness or complaints in these muscles will affect posture.
On the other hand, if the posture is not maintained properly, it will make the muscles weaker and the joints painful, for example the habit of sitting or walking hunched over.
4. Helping the birth process
When you are pregnant, the smooth muscles in the uterus work to support the uterus, which continues to enlarge as the weight of the fetus increases. When it's time to give birth, this smooth muscle will contract and push the baby toward the birth canal.
5. Move the digestive and excretory system
After entering the body, food and water will pass through the digestive system, from the esophagus to the large intestine, until it is excreted as feces. The passage of food is made possible by the smooth muscles in every part of the digestive system.
Likewise with urine. From the kidneys to the bladder and expelled, urine moves with the help of smooth muscles in the urinary system. Even when you want to urinate, without you knowing it, your bladder is also contracting to excrete urine.
6. Breathing
When you breathe, there is a muscular system at work. The diaphragm is the muscle used for breathing. When you breathe every day, the diaphragm muscles work on their own. When you breathe more heavily, for example when running, the diaphragm muscles need help from other body muscles, such as the back muscles, abdominal muscles, or neck muscles.
7. Vision
You may not even notice that there is a set of muscles in the eye. This smooth muscle allows you to move your eyes like blinking and allows you to adjust your viewing distance and move your eyeballs in all directions. If there is damage to these muscles, you can also experience vision problems.
During this time you may have only realized that the muscular system is just the muscles that you can move or control. However, there are actually many types of muscles whose functions are very important without being felt. By maintaining overall body health, the performance of the muscle system will remain optimal.
If you notice a problem with your muscles, for example, which makes it difficult for you to move or has pain when moving, consult your doctor for proper treatment.