Ch 29: Muscle and Skeletal Systems for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
About This Chapter
How it works:
- Begin your review or other MCAT preparation work.
- Identify the muscle and skeletal systems concepts that you're stuck on.
- Find fun videos on the topics you need to understand.
- Press play, watch and learn!
- Complete the quizzes to test your understanding.
- As needed, submit a question to one of our instructors for personalized support.
Who's it for?
This chapter of our MCAT prep tutoring solution will benefit any student who is trying to learn about the muscle and skeletal systems and earn acceptable scores. This resource can help students including those who:
- Struggle with understanding skeletal muscle organization, types of joint movement or any other muscle and skeletal systems topic
- Have limited time for studying
- Want a cost effective way to supplement their MCAT preparation
- Prefer learning MCAT topics visually
- Find themselves struggling with the muscle and skeletal systems portion of the review
- Cope with ADD or ADHD
- Want to get ahead in their MCAT preparation
- Don't have access to MCAT review materials
Why it works:
- Engaging Tutors: We make learning about the muscle and skeletal systems simple and fun.
- Cost Efficient: For less than 20% of the cost of a private tutor, you'll have unlimited access 24/7.
- Consistent High Quality: Unlike a live MCAT prep tutor, these video lessons are thoroughly reviewed.
- Convenient: Imagine a tutor as portable as your laptop, tablet or smartphone. Complete your muscle and skeletal systems review on the go!
- Learn at Your Pace: You can pause and rewatch lessons as often as you'd like, until you master the material.
Learning objectives:
- Review the major skeletal muscle functions.
- Differentiate among skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle tissue.
- Explore the organization of skeletal muscle.
- Learn how neuromuscular junctions function.
- Examine the function of the skeletal system.
- Learn about types of joint movement.
- Explore the major bones of the leg and foot.
- Find out about the bones of the pelvis, vertebral column and ribs.
- Study the bones of the shoulder, arm and hand.
- Review the bones of the skull and face.
- Examine the function of cartilage.
- Explore factors that affect the growth and development of bones.

1. Major Skeletal Muscle Functions
Skeletal muscles serve many different purposes in the body. Learn about some of their major functions, including how skeletal muscles are related to posture, digestion, body temperature regulation, and homeostasis.

2. Types of Muscle Tissue: Skeletal, Cardiac & Smooth
The three different types of muscle tissue are skeletal, cardiac, and smooth, and they differ in structure and functions. Explore these types of tissue, and learn about muscle histology, muscular contraction, and regulation of contraction.

3. Skeletal Muscle Organization: Connective Tissue and Layers
Skeletal muscle contains bundles of muscle fibers packed between layers of connective tissue called perimysium. Explore the role connective tissue plays in skeletal muscle organization and in fascicle, muscle fiber, and myofibril arrangement.

4. The Neuromuscular Junction: Function, Structure & Physiology
The neuromuscular junction causes muscles to contract, an ability vital for muscle movement. Learn about the neuromuscular junction, and explore its function, structure, and physiology. Understand synaptic transmission, anatomy and physiology of a synapse, and neuromuscular disease.

5. The Skeletal System: Function and Terms
The human skeletal system is comprised of the axial skeleton (the central parts of the skeleton, including the skull, vertebral column and rib cage) and appendicular skeleton (the peripheral parts of the skeletal system, including all of the bones in the arms, legs and the pelvic and pectoral girdles). Discover the parts of a long bone (diaphysis, epiphysis, and metaphysis), and the functions of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in bone formation.

6. Joints: Structure and Functions
Joints are locations throughout the human skeletal system where two or more bones come together to allow for movement and support of the body. Learn about the structure of joints, the function of joint capsules, synovial membrane, bursa, meniscus, and the importance of synovial fluid in reducing friction between bones.

7. Types of Joint Movement & Tissue Structure and Function
The joints in the body are categorized depending on the movement they make. Learn about the different types of joints and their movements and how tissue structure affects the function of the joints.

8. Bones of the Leg and Foot: Names, Anatomy & Functions
The structure of the leg allows for the strength and form needed to kick a field goal. Explore the names, anatomy, and functions of the bones in the leg and foot, including the femur, tibia, patella, fibula, tarsals, and metatarsals.

9. Bones of the Pelvis: Definition and Function
The pelvis protects the bladder, provides structure for the hips, and connects the legs to the spine. Explore the functions and components of the bones in the pelvis, including the ilium, ischium, pubis, sacrum, pelvic cavity, and acetabulum.

10. Bones of the Vertebral Column and Ribs: Definition and Function
The ribcage, supported by the spine, protects vital organs like the lungs and heart from damage. Explore the functions of the bones of the vertical column and ribcage, including the vertebrae, sternum, costal cartilages, and ribs.

11. Bones of the Shoulder: Anatomy and Functions
The shoulder contains many components, and damage to any one of them can injure the entire shoulder. Explore the anatomy and functions of the bones in the shoulder, including the humerus, glenoid cavity, scapula, clavicle, and acromion.

12. Bones of the Arm and Hand: Anatomy and Functions
Humans have a complex anatomical system of bones in the hands and arms that allow us to grasp and move items. Discover the functions of: the phalanges (finger and toe bones), metacarpals (between fingers and carpals), carpals (wrists), radius (forearm), ulna (parallel to the radius), and humerus (connects shoulder and forearm).

13. Major Bones of the Skull: Names and Location
The human skull is not one single bone, but six bones fused together: four unpaired and two paired. Learn the names and locations of the six major bones in the skull: the sphenoid, ethmoid, frontal, occipital, temporal, and parietal bones.

14. Bones of the Face: Names, Function & Location
The human body contains eight facial bones which are necessary to protect the brain, sense organs (sight, smell, & taste), and act as the base for soft tissue formation. Learn about the bones of the face (lacrimal, nasal, vomer, zygomatic, maxilla, mandible, palatine, & inferior nasal conchae), the function and location of each bone, and which facial bones are paired.

15. What is Cartilage? - Definition, Types & Function
Cartilage is a kind of connective tissue within the body that has different properties than bone and muscle. Learn about the cells that make up cartilage, the different types of cartilage, and their function within different parts of the body.

16. Bone Tissue: Functions and Types
The bones are considered connective tissues since these act as connections and supports for the entire human body. Learn about the histology of bones, the different cells that make up the bone structure, and their specific functions.

17. Anatomy of a Bone: Parts, Marrow & Types
Bones are comprised of cortical bone or cancellous bone and classified by shape. All bones contain bone marrow where red blood cells or adipose cells are formed. Learn about the anatomy of a bone, different bone shapes, types of bone tissue and bone tissue layers, bone marrow, and bone markings.

18. Bone Growth & Development Factors: Endochondral Ossification
Bone formation in the human body begins during fetal development. After birth, endochondral ossification performs a major role in bone elongation, which is accomplished through the epiphyseal plate. Learn about bone growth, development factors, bone growth after birth, the process of bone formation (intramembranous ossification and endochondral ossification), and how ossification works in the development of bones.

19. Ball & Socket Joint: Definition & Examples
Discover the unique type of joint known as a ball and socket joint. Explore how this type of joint is structured, how the bones that form the joint articulate, and see examples of ball and socket joints in the body.
Earning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 220 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Other Chapters
Other chapters within the MCAT Prep: Tutoring Solution course
- Introduction to Organic Chemistry for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Enzymes and Metabolism for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- The Transcription and Translation Process for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Nucleic Acids - DNA and RNA for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Processes and Steps of DNA Replication for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Genetic Variation, Control & Reproduction
- Developmental Mechanisms for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Mendelian Concepts for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Genetic Variability & Mutation for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Analytic Methods in Genetics for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Evolution & Natural Selection for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Development of Vertebrates for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Thermochemistry & Thermodynamics for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Kinetics and Equilibrium for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Cell Structure, Functions & Processes
- Eukaryotes for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Prokaryotic Cells for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Fungi for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Virus Structure & Life Cycle for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Cell Biology & Cell Cycle for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Nerve, Muscle & Specialized Cell Types for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Hormones & Mechanisms of Hormone Action for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Structure, Function & Sensory Reception in the Nervous System for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Circulatory System Overview for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Lymphatic System for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Immune System - Innate and Adaptive Systems for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Digestive System Functions & Organs for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Urinary System for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Respiratory System for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Skin System for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Anatomy and Physiology of Male and Female Reproductive Systems for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Reproductive Sequence for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Translational Motion for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Force, Motion & Gravitation for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Equilibrium and Momentum for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Work and Energy for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Waves for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Principles of Fluids
- Gases for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Electrostatics & Magnetism for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Electronic Circuit Elements for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Electrochemistry for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Sound for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Light & Geometrical Optics for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Atomic Nucleus for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Electronic Structure for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- The Periodic Table for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Stoichiometric Calculations for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Acids and Bases Overview for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Solution Chemistry for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Chemical Bonding for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Phase Equilibria for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Basic Molecular Biology Lab Techniques for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Sensory Processes & Theories
- Human Senses
- Human Attention & Cognition
- States of Human Consciousness
- Memory
- Characterizing Language Development
- Emotion
- Stress
- Genetics, Evolution & Environmental Influences on Behavior
- Prenatal Development & Birth
- Principles of Motor Development, Learning & Control
- Development in the Adolescence Years
- Personality Components & Assessment
- Psychological Health & Disorders
- Motivation Types and Sources
- Attitude Types and Theories
- Types of Social Groups & Organizations
- Theories of Deviance & Social Control
- Learning and Conditioning
- Understanding the Self
- Prejudice & Discrimination
- Social Behavior
- Social Structure
- Families, Religions & Schools as Social Institutions
- Political & Economic Systems
- Health and Medicine
- Culture, Socialization & Social Interaction
- Population and Migration
- Sex and Gender Roles
- Social Status
- Principles & Procedures in Scientific Research
- Scientific Basics & Theories
- Analyzing Scientific Data for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution
- Verbal Reasoning for the MCAT: Tutoring Solution