Session 4

(This is Session 4. If you are pursuing certification and training in alternative health therapies for canines you should scroll down or begin at Session 1)


Muscular System

The parts of the muscle we’ll learn are as follows: Tendons, muscle body, muscle fiber, muscle cords or bundles and fascia. Muscles are an incredible part of the body and communicate with the CNS through the PNS. There are roughly 700 muscles in the body of a dog. (Don’t worry, we’re not memorizing them or even looking at each one…can you imagine coming up with an acronym for 700 muscles?) But, we will learn how the muscles function and what they consist of.

What is the difference between a ligament and a tendon? A ligament joins bone to bone and a tendon joins muscle to bone. Tendons are similar in there make up to a ligament. There are two tendons involved with a muscle. The end of the tendon that connects to the bone part that is most movable is called the tendon of insertion. The end of the tendon that connects to the part of the bone that is less-movable is called the tendon of origin. The end that has more movement is the end we call the tendon of insertion and the other is called the tendon of origin. Here is how it works: When the muscle is used, it contracts (this means it gets shorter and balls up. It is working). The less movable part (tendon of origin is pulling the muscle and tendon of insertion closer to it. When the muscle relaxes, it goes back to its relaxed state. (You may find it helpful to read the former paragraphs while looking at the picture). Notice the picture of the relaxed muscle compared to the contracted muscle.

Now let’s look at the muscle parts and how they work. The muscle body (or muscle belly) is filled with what we will compare to extension cords. The muscle is a bit like a very fat extension cord. It is wrapped in what we call fascia. Inside this fat extension cord are lots of smaller extension cords, each also wrapped in fascia.  The fascia is a protective lining or covering. In the next figure you’ll see the simulated inside belly, or body, of a muscle. Inside each extension cord are muscle fibers (like wires inside the casing of an extension cord).In the gaps we’ll find fascia which is covering the individual bundles of muscle fibers. When the muscle contracts, all the bundles of fibers contract together. In the event of an injury, some of the fibers may not relax after contraction which can cause tightness, stress or soreness. Therapies such as massage, acupressure and other procedures can support injured muscles, surrounding muscles and communication system (nervous system) in restoring and maintaining health. In addition, conventional medicines may help the muscles to relax by using drugs.

Muscle Belly, Bundles and Muscle Fibers

In our course on Exercise Therapy we will look more closely at the muscle and the different ways that they work to provide mobility and strength.

TEST

1)      Name the parts of the muscle.

2)      What may be a reason for muscle tightness or stress?

3)      What do we call the tendon that is connected to the most movable bone?

4)      What do we call the tendon connected to the least movable bone?

5)      What are muscle bundles protected by?

6)      When a muscle is working we say it is ________?

ANSWERS

1)      Tendon, muscle belly (body), muscle fibers, bundles and fascia.

2)      Muscle fiber(s) that fail to relax after contraction.

3)      Tendon of insertion.

4)      Tendon of origin.

5)      Fascia.

6)      Contracting.

Good Job. Get ready to learn more about how muscles work in other courses on alternative pet therapies.