key term - Muscular System

Definition

The muscular system is a complex network of tissues that allows movement of the body and maintenance of posture by contraction and relaxation of muscles. It includes all the muscles in the body, ranging from large skeletal muscles that enable walking and running to smooth muscles in the internal organs.

Related terms

Skeletal Muscle:

These are voluntary muscles attached to bones by tendons and are responsible for locomotion and other body movements.

Smooth Muscle:

This type involves involuntary muscles found within the walls of internal organs, such as the stomach and intestines, controlling movements inside the body without conscious effort.

Cardiac Muscle:

A specialized form of muscle found only in the heart, contracting involuntarily to pump blood throughout the body