What to know about the Muscular System

The Muscular System is what allows the body to move. There are over 600 muscles in the body that allow you to move. Of those 600 muscles in the body, 60 are in your face. It takes 20 muscles to smile and over 40 to frown. Smiling is easier than frowning! Muscles account for approximately 40 percent of body weight

The longest muscle in the body is the Sartorius, located on the outside of the hip, down and across to the inside of the knee. It rotates the thigh outwards and bends the knee.

The smallest muscle in the body is the stapedius, found deep in the ear. It is only 5mm long and is thinner than cotton thread. This muscle is involved in hearing.

The largest muscle in the body is the Gluteus Maximus, found in the buttock.

The strongest muscle in your body is your jaw.

Eye muscles are the busiest muscles in the body. Scientists estimate they may move more than 100, 000 times a day!

Thousands or even tens of thousands, of small fibers make up each muscle. You have three different types of muscles in your body: smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle.

Smooth muscles are located throughout the body, including in the internal organs, blood vessels, and glands. You can't control this type of muscle. Your brain and body tell these muscles what to do without you even thinking about it.

Cardiac muscles are located only in the heart and makes up the heart walls. Just like smooth muscle, cardiac muscles works all by itself with no help from you.

Skeletal muscle is a system of pairs that relax and contract to move a joint. For example, when front leg muscles contract, the knee extends (straightens) while the back leg muscles relax. Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscle, which means you are able to control what they do. Your leg won't bend to kick the soccer ball unless you want it to.