Chapter 4: Muscle Anatomy

18.Properties of Muscles:

Muscles possess several important properties that contribute to their function and enable them to perform their role in the body. These properties include:

• Excitability: Muscles have the ability to receive and respond to stimuli, such as nerve impulses. This property allows muscles to initiate a contraction in response to appropriate signals.

• Contractility: Muscles can contract or shorten in length when stimulated. This property enables muscle fibers to generate force and produce movement.

• Elasticity: Muscles have the ability to stretch or lengthen when a force is removed. This property allows muscles to return to their original shape and length after contraction.

• Extensibility: Muscles can stretch or extend beyond their resting length. This property enables muscles to accommodate movements across joints and maintain flexibility.

• Tonicity: Tonicity refers to the resting tension or slight contraction present in muscles even when they are at rest. This property helps maintain posture and stability, preventing muscles from becoming completely relaxed.