The Muscular System

The muscular system works with the skeletal system You have approximately 650 muscles in your body.

Functions of the Muscular System allows your body to move gives shape to your body maintains your posture (standing or sitting)

Main Categories of Muscles Voluntary Involuntary You can control examples: arms, legs, hands, face You don’t have control, they move automatically examples: heart, lungs

Muscle Movement Tendons are flexible connective tissue that connects muscles to bones. Muscles work in pairs to PULL the bone in a certain direction. One part of the muscle pair is called the flexor and the other muscle is known as the extensor. Example: biceps -flexors triceps - extensors

The flexor muscle contracts (shortens) to bend the bone at the joint. The extensor muscle contracts to extend the bone Example: biceps –flexors triceps - extensors

Muscle Maintenance Physical activity and eating a variety of nutritious foods will keep your muscles healthy and strong Kids should not lift weights so that they can look bigger and stronger. Lifting heavy weights can be dangerous to kid’s muscles and tendons.

Steroid Use Some people take illegal drugs to get muscle fast. These artificial hormones can cause serious health problems

Videos Bill Nye Bones and Muscles 20:37 Kids Health Muscular System 7:07 Kids Health How Muscles Work 5:49 Muscular System – Our Muscles – make me a genius 5:37 BrainPOP animation about Duchene Muscular Dystrophy 4:13 Living with Muscular Dystrophy by Arnold 5:36 Cerebral Palsy: Ira’s Story 4:40