1. The Muscular System Mrs. Higgins, LVT Locust Trace Agriscience Center
Veterinary Assistant Program

2. Types of Muscles
Can you remember the three types of muscle tissue that we have already discussed?
_______________
Skeletal
Smooth
Cardiac

3. Skeletal Muscle Bulk of the muscles in the body
Responsible for voluntary movements
Makes the meat of our domestic animals
Attached to bone to aid in movement. Hence…. Skeletal muscle
Striated muscle tissue

4. Smooth Muscle Involuntary and unstriated
Found in body systems with autonomic function
Major component of the walls of organs of the digestive system, urogenital systems, and blood vessels
Does not require stimulation from a nerve

5. Cardiac Muscle Has visible striations Not under voluntary control
Responsible for the circulation of blood

7. Functions of the Muscular System
One true function: contraction
All functions of the muscular system are related to contraction
Example: relaxation is a lack of contractions and is a passive movement

8. Examples
In the eye, smooth muscle fibers adjust the diameter of the pupil and thickness of the lens for optimal vision.
The skeletal muscles of respiration move air into and out of the lungs by contracting to change the volume of the thoracic cavity.
Heat production through shivering is the result of brief repetitive contractions of skeletal muscle throughout the body.

9. We are NOT learning all of the muscles of the animal’s body
We are NOT learning all of the muscles of the animal’s body. It would look like this….

11. However…
Here are some phrases and specific muscles I think you need to learn…

12. Phrases and Specifics Kinesi/o Means movement
Kinesiology = the study of movement
Antagonistic Muscles that work against each other
Anti = against
Agon = struggle
Synergistic
Muscles that work with other muscles to produce movement
Syn = together
Erg = work

13. Structures
Fascia – a sheet of fibrous connective tissue that covers, supports, and separates muscle groups
Tendons – fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone

14. Intramuscular Injection Sites
Lateral Neck Muscles
Used in horses and cattle

15. Intramuscular Injection Sites
Lumbar Muscles
Used in small animals for deep muscle injections
Gluteal Muscles
Used in horses and cattle

16. Intramuscular Injection Sites
Quadriceps
Used in companion animals
Semimembranosus/
Semitendinosus
Used in both large and small animals
Major nerve passes through this area!
Damage could result in paralysis, do not use this site without proper training