Muscle Control: Voluntary and Involuntary Muscles

Overview

• Discussion on voluntary and involuntary muscle control.
• Detailed examination of the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.
• Exploration of the components and structure of these systems.

Voluntary vs. Involuntary Muscle Control

Involuntary Muscles

• Involuntary muscles: Heart (cardiac muscle), intestines (smooth muscle), and blood vessels (smooth muscle).
• We don't consciously think about functions like blood flow and heartbeats; the body manages these through involuntary control.
• Key Structures Involved: Brain stem, sympathetic ganglion.

Voluntary Muscles

• Voluntary muscles: Skeletal muscles (striated skeletal muscles).
• These muscles are under conscious control.
• Key Structures Involved: Cerebral cortex (motor cortex), spinal cord.

Nervous System Components

Voluntary Control

• Cerebral Cortex (Motor Cortex): Responsible for the voluntary control of muscles.
• Spinal Cord: Assists in the voluntary control of muscles.
• Mnemonic Strategy: "If I control it, it's voluntary, using the cortex or spinal cord."

Involuntary Control

• Brain Stem: Regulates functions like arteriole dilation and heart rate increase through parasympathetic and sympathetic mechanisms.
• Sympathetic Ganglion: Neuronal tissue located outside the central nervous system, often alongside the spinal cord, responsible for involuntary muscle control.
• Mnemonic Strategy: "If it's out of my control, it uses the brain stem or neuron tissue beside the spinal cord."

Summary

• Voluntary Muscle Control: Managed by the brain's motor cortex and spinal cord.
• Involuntary Muscle Control: Managed by the brain stem, sympathetic ganglion, and neuron tissue outside the CNS.