LECTURE III 



MYOLOGY, OR THE STUDY OF THE 

 MUSCULAR SYSTEM 



117. Muscle, or flesh, is a contractile, fibrous structure, and forms 

 the bulk and symmetry of the body. It is composed of bundles of 

 small fibres held together by connective tissue, and is in intimate 

 connexion with the bony structures. Muscles are the active organs 

 of locomotion, and are also found entering into the formation of the 

 walls of various organs of the body, as the stomach, bladder, etc. 

 There are two kinds of muscles— striped or voluntary, and non- 

 striped or involuntary. The voluntary muscles are under the 

 control of the will — as, for example, those of the legs, etc. — while 

 the involuntary muscles carry on the functions of the body in- 

 dependently of the will, as those of the intestines, uterus blood- 

 vessels, etc. The muscle of the heart, however, though involuntary, 

 is striped. 



118. A Voluntary muscle may be said to consist of three parts : 

 First, the tendinous origin — i.e., where it arises; second, the body, 

 or fleshy part — the contractile portion, or tissue, which does all the 

 work, producing the movements of the body ; and third, the termina- 

 tion in the pale yellowish-white glistening bands, or fibrous cords, 

 called tendons, or sinews, which are extremely strong, though very 

 light. These latter are inserted into the various portions of the bony 

 structure, which are to be acted upon in locomotion, and thus attach 

 the muscle to the bone. 



119. Muscles, like bones, have particular names, according to 



their situation, form, attachment, and action, and they are well 



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