What are the main functions of a muscle?
1 Answer
The primary function of the muscles is to provide contraction in order to move the body as a whole or move materials through the body.
Explanation:
The muscular system supports body movement , maintains posture and circulates blood through the body.
The muscular system of the human body is composed of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles.
Skeletal muscles
The primary function of the skeletal muscles is to produce voluntary movements e.g. walking , standing , playing, chewing and blinking etc.
Skeletal muscles also contract as a reflex to stimuli.
The abdominal muscles and muscles of the lower back, help to protect the vital organs .
Cardiac muscles
The contraction of heart muscles is involuntary and is under the control of hearts own electrical system. Muscles of the heart are responsible for pumping blood from the heart into the lungs to pick up oxygen, receiving blood back from the lungs and then pumping it to the various arteries of the body.
Smooth muscles
These are present in the stomach and intestines and work to process food and help in digestion. The involuntary contractions in the stomach and intestines aid in digestion and in moving the food along the digestive tract.
Smooth muscles in the arteries relax and contract to help circulate the blood through out the circulatory system and regulate blood pressure.
