Skeletal muscles are an integrated structure, connected to the bones in order to allow them to move and perform their functions in the body. This type of muscle forms the largest part in the human body. Follow us to learn about the types of skeletal muscles in the human body.

What are skeletal muscles?

Skeletal muscles are skeletal muscles, and they are considered the most widespread in the human body because most of the body’s muscles are skeletal muscles, making up about 30 to 40% of the human body mass, but they vary according to the person’s height and weight. These muscles you can freely control how and when they work, but this muscle mass decreases with age, whether for men or women.

Tendons are what connect skeletal muscle tissue and bones, and they come together to produce body movements. These muscles are also known as striated muscles, because the fibers in them cross in very organized patterns of fine red and white lines. Some of the most famous examples of these skeletal muscles are the shoulder muscles, abs, and hamstrings.

Types of muscles in the human body

Have you ever asked yourself how many muscles are in the human body? There are many muscles that connect the body as a whole together, as the number of muscles in the human body reaches more than 650 skeletal muscles, as the number cannot be accurately counted until now. But this number of muscles falls under the classification of three main types of muscle tissue, which we will explain to you.

1. Skeletal muscles

As we explained, they are administrative muscles, which you control easily, and whenever you want, as your nervous system sends signals to them to work.

2. Cardiac muscles

These muscles are found only in the heart, and their function is to help the heart work and pump blood to all parts and parts of your body. These muscles are involuntary, meaning you cannot control them and their movement, because the involuntary nervous system controls them.

3. Smooth muscles

These muscles are also involuntary, and the involuntary nervous system controls them. These types of muscles are found in various organs in the human body and in blood vessels, skin, digestive system and other different areas of the body. Among the most famous of these types of muscles are the muscles of the urinary system that help to get rid of Body waste and toxins.

Skeletal muscle shape and composition

These muscles are located between the bones, but in terms of composition and shape, the skeletal muscles are composed of thousands of muscle fibers that are flexible. These fibers are surrounded by different types of coverings and sheaths, as follows:

• epimysium, This part is the outer layer that surrounds the muscle as a whole and is made up of tissues.
• perimiciumThis part is the middle layer of muscle and is surrounded by inner fiber bundles.
• endomysiumwhich is the inner part that surrounds the individual inner fibers of the muscle.

The diameter of these muscles ranges from less than half an inch to three inches, and the fibers that make up the muscle extend inside them lengthwise. These fibers contract, to allow the muscle to move the bones attached to it, and then to perform the usual movements of the body.

skeletal muscle function

These muscles are an essential part of the musculoskeletal system within the body. These muscles have important functions, most notably:

• The function of chewing and swallowing, as it is the first part of the digestion process.
• The function of maintaining different body positions.
• The function of expanding and contracting the thoracic cavity, so that the person can inhale and exhale according to his desire.
• Movement function, it helps to move the bones in different parts of the body.
• The function of preserving, protecting and stabilizing joints.

The most common skeletal muscle disease

There are some disorders and health problems that affect the skeletal muscles. Some of these injuries are simple and mild, and others may lead to muscular disorders that may be serious and life-threatening. Among the most famous of these pathological conditions and risks:

• muscular dystrophyAs a result of the presence of an abnormal gene, this condition may be hereditary, including different types.
• Myasthenia gravisIt is considered an autoimmune disease that prevents the muscles and nerves from communicating properly, and this is why the muscles become weak and fatigued, and it may make it difficult for you to do many things such as moving, walking, chewing and seeing, in addition to the breathing problems associated with it.
• Bagpipes: This results from the loss of skeletal muscle mass and often occurs with age, hormonal changes, obesity, etc., as this condition makes you vulnerable to balance problems, falls, and loss of mobility.
• stress: As this condition is well-known, and it is muscle stress and tension, which occurs due to excessive use of the muscle, in addition to that it may occur as a result of severe strains, so the muscle is partially or completely torn.
• rhabdomyolysis, This condition leads to the breakdown of muscle tissue, not only that, but the muscles that are damaged release harmful substances into the blood such as electrolytes, and this may lead to damage to the organs of the body. This condition may occur as a result of sunstroke, severe stress, or an injury.
• tendinitis, Any inflammation of the tendons that connect muscles to bones may make using the muscles painful and difficult. This condition also occurs as a result of stress or strains.

How to maintain healthy skeletal muscles

There are some ways in which you can maintain the health of the skeletal muscles in your body, including:

• Doing exercises, especially conditioning and resistance exercises, on a regular basis.
• Rely on a healthy diet and balanced and nutritious food for your body.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Maintaining muscle warm-up and tension before any physical activity or sport.