The human body is made up of skeleton, muscles and organs and organ systems, all controlled by the brain. The muscular system is made up of many different components that control growth and development, function, strength and motion. Understanding the basics of muscle development may help individuals realize the importance of health and fitness in order to maintain optimal health and range of motion for daily living activities.
Cells
Every tissue in the human body is created through a series of what may be thought of as building blocks. Cells are the basic building blocks of any tissues or organs in the body, including muscles. Smooth muscle cell tissues are found surrounding organs in the body and provide contraction, for blood vessels, the intestines, says J. Stein Carter of University of California Clermont College. Smooth muscle tissue helps with breathing and digestive processes as well.
Fibers
Smooth muscle cells, also known as visceral muscle tissue, are small and shaped somewhat like a spindle or thin oval. They contain one nucleus per cell.
Skeletal muscle cells, often called striated, have alternating dark and light bands of muscle fiber tissues that extend the length of the muscle, and contains multiple nuclei. These muscle cells are called muscle fibers and enable an individual to move an arm, walk, blink and talk.
Nerves
Muscle cells or fibers, regardless of shape or size, contain nerve cells called motor neurons that tell the muscle when to contract or extend. The nucleus of the nerve cell is called the cell body, which contain dendrites. These dendrites contain long, arm-looking structures called axons, along which nerve impulses run to stimulate movement.
Myofibrils
Each muscle fiber in skeletal muscle myofibrils, which are proteins that aid contraction of muscle tissues. During the contraction phase, the myofibrils, which start out looking like elongated discs, contract or shorted inward. Each muscle fiber contains bundles of elongated myofibrils, states Get Body Smart.
Vascular
Muscles need oxygen and nutrients to function, which is where the vascular system comes in. The vascular system, or blood vessels. Blood vessels that make up the vascular system basically include arteries and veins, capillaries. Capillaries are the smallest vessels that provide blood bearing oxygen and nutrients to muscle fibers through a fine network of vessels that reach the smallest parts of the body. These vessels are thin in order to allow exchange of oxygen and nutrients into surrounding muscle or organ tissues, states the Ivy Rose Holistic website (see link below).
