The muscular system is the set of all the muscles that make up the human body. It is a large system of muscles and nerve tissues distributed throughout the body. In total, the human body is made up of approximately 650 muscles (Shier, Butler, Lewis, 2009). The muscular system is divided into three types of muscles: cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and skeletal muscle (p.212). Cardiac muscle is a type of involuntary muscle found only in the walls of the heart, particularly the myocardium. The heart muscles automatically contract to tighten the walls of the heart in a rhythmic manner (pp. 212-216). The heart beats nonstop around 100,000 times a day (p.18). Smooth muscle is a type of involuntary muscle found in the walls of blood vessels, such as in small arteries and veins. Smooth muscle is also found in the bladder, uterus, male and female reproductive tracts, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory tract. Skeletal muscles are controlled voluntarily and are attached to bones by tendons. Skeletal muscles also vary greatly in size and shape. They range from extremely small strands, as in the middle ear muscle, to larger ones as in the thigh muscles (Martini, 2000). The three individual muscle types also perform five main functions. The five basic functions are movement, protecting organs, pumping blood, aiding digestion, and ensuring blood circulation. The first basic function of the muscular system is movement, which is provided by the skeletal muscles. The primary function of skeletal muscle is to produce voluntary gross and fine motor movements. This set of voluntary muscles provides the forces that allow the body to move. A skeletal muscle connects two bones through its connection...... middle of paper...... this is something patients can look forward to even with treatment. Physically, muscular dystrophy is a burden, but it also affects a person's social participation. Young children may not understand or want to play with children with muscular dystrophy. Additionally, playgrounds may not be equipped with adequate equipment to allow children with muscular dystrophy to participate. The muscular system is a complex system which, if affected, can seriously affect the quality of daily life as well as total lifespan. Covering the entire body, the muscular system is made up of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles. And within the three muscle groups, five basic functions are performed: movement, protecting vital organs, pumping blood, aiding digestion, and ensuring blood circulation. None of these important tasks would be possible without a healthy and strong muscular system..