Microvilli are extensions of cells. They are found, for example, in the intestine, uterus, and taste buds. They improve the absorption of substances by increasing the surface area of the cells. What are the microvilli? Microvilli are filamentous projections at the tips of cells. Microvilli are particularly common in epithelial cells. These are the cells … Microvilli: Structure, Function & Diseases
The cremaster muscle is also known as the cremaster muscle or testicular lifter and surrounds the spermatic cord and testicles. It contracts reflexively in response to external stimuli such as cold, pulling the testicles toward the trunk. In testicular malpositions such as pendulous testis, exaggerated reflex movement causes abnormal testicular positions. What is the cremaster … Musculus Cremaster: Structure, Function & Diseases
The teres major muscle is one of the skeletal muscles that humans can control voluntarily and forms part of the rotator cuff. It extends from the lower edge of the scapula to the upper arm and participates in the movements of the arm. What is the teres major muscle? On the back is located the … Musculus Teres Major: Structure, Function & Diseases
The teres minor muscle is a skeletal muscle that belongs to the shoulder musculature. It forms part of the rotator cuff, which holds the upper arm bone (humerus) to the shoulder. Damage to the teres minor muscle or its nerve can affect the stability of the cuff and increase the likelihood of shoulder dislocation (luxation). … Musculus Teres Minor: Structure, Function & Diseases
Fascins represent small and extremely compact protein molecules that interact with actin filaments. In doing so, they bundle the actin chains, preventing their further cross-linking. Fascins further serve as markers in cancer diagnosis. What is fascin? Fascins are proteins that regulate the activity of actin filaments. Their role is to package actin filaments so that … Fascin: Function & Diseases
Muscle building means growth of the musculature, caused by an increased load, such as physical work, sports or special muscle training. In today’s industrialized nations, muscle gain is usually intentional, which is expressed in the numerous fitness studios and sports offers. While moderate muscle gain is not pathological, there are numerous diseases of muscle reduction. … Muscle Building: Function, Task & Diseases
In the stretch-shortening cycle (DVZ), an eccentric stretch of a muscle is followed by a concentric contraction of the same muscle, which conserves energy and uses the kinetic energy from the stretch. The DVZ plays an important role in reactive movements and is triggered by muscle flexibility and the stretch reflex. Disorders of the cycle … Elongation-shortening Cycle: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases
The term contraction (Latin contrahere = to contract) is used to describe the process by which a muscle either shortens or increases its tension. There are different types of contractions with different functional significance. What is the coronary contraction? The term contraction (Latin contrahere = to contract) is used to describe the process by which … Contraction: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases
Actin is a structural protein found in all eukaryotic cells. It participates in the assembly of the cytoskeleton and muscle. What is actin? Actin is a protein molecule with a very old developmental history. As a structural protein, it is present in the cytoplasm of every eukaryotic cell and in the sarcomere of all muscle … Actin: Function & Diseases
The motor or neuromuscular endplate, is the point of contact between a motor neuron and a muscle cell. It is also called the neuromuscular synapse and is used to transmit excitation between a motor nerve fiber and a muscle fiber. What is the motor end plate? The neuromuscular synapse is an excitatory synapse that specializes … Motor End Plate: Structure, Function & Diseases
Smooth muscle is a type of muscle located in numerous hollow human organs. It has the ability to work independently. What is smooth muscle? Smooth muscle is a type of muscle that, unlike striated muscle, cannot be controlled at will. It exerts influence on the shape and function of the internal organs. It forms the … Smooth Muscle: Structure, Function & Diseases
The sarcomere is a small functional unit within the muscle: Lined up one behind the other, they form the filament-like myofibrils that are grouped together to form muscle fibers. Electrical stimulation by nerve cells causes the filaments within a sarcomere to push into each other, causing the muscle to contract. What is the sarcomere? There … Sarcomere: Structure, Function & Diseases
