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Related Concept Videos

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

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The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
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Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects01:21

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects

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Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used for muscle paralysis and relieving pain following any muscle injury or stiffness. However, depending on the drug type, they can have adverse effects that range from mild to severe. Usually, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers have minimal side effects. For example, drugs like d-tubocurarine, cisatracurium, and rocuronium cause hypotension, whereas drugs like baclofen, when stopped abruptly, can lead to the recurrence of spastic conditions.
Unlike...
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Muscle Contraction01:10

Muscle Contraction

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In skeletal muscles, acetylcholine is released by nerve terminals at the motor endplate—the point of synaptic communication between motor neurons and muscle fibers. The binding of acetylcholine to its receptors on the sarcolemma allows entry of sodium ions into the cell and triggers an action potential in the muscle cell. Thus, electrical signals from the brain are transmitted to the muscle. Subsequently, the enzyme acetylcholinesterase breaks down acetylcholine to prevent excessive...
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Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants01:28

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

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Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
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Muscle Recovery and Fatigue01:24

Muscle Recovery and Fatigue

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Muscle fatigue refers to the decline in a muscle's ability to maintain the force of contraction after prolonged activity. It primarily stems from changes within muscle fibers. Even before experiencing muscle fatigue, one may feel tired and have the urge to stop the activity. This response, known as central fatigue, occurs due to changes in the central nervous system, namely the brain and spinal cord. While there is no single mechanism that induces fatigue, it may serve as a protective...
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Muscle Stimulation Frequency01:22

Muscle Stimulation Frequency

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The contraction strength of muscles is regulated by motor neurons, which modulate the frequency of action potentials dispatched to the motor units based on the body's requirements. This process of varying the muscle stimulation frequency allows muscles to contract with a force that is precisely tailored to the needs of the moment, whether lifting a feather or a heavy box.
Wave summation
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 25, 2025

Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises
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Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises

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[Muscle cramps].

Damien Fayolle1, Marie Théaudin2, François Ochsner2

  • 1Service de neurologie, Département des neurosciences cliniques, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 1211 Genève 14.

Revue Medicale Suisse
|April 28, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Muscle cramps are common and impact quality of life, stemming from various conditions. Diagnosis relies on history and examination, sometimes supplemented by tests, with symptomatic treatment lacking strong evidence.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Muscle cramps are a prevalent issue affecting patient well-being.
  • Causes are diverse, encompassing physiological, metabolic, endocrine, vascular, and neuromuscular disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the diagnostic approach for muscle cramps.
  • To review the current evidence for management strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review focusing on diagnostic criteria and treatment efficacy.
  • Analysis of etiological factors and investigation pathways.

Main Results:

  • Differentiating cramps from other muscular phenomena is key for management.
  • Diagnostic work-up often includes clinical history, physical examination, and potentially biological, radiological, or electrophysiological tests.
  • Current treatments are largely symptomatic and supported by limited evidence.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective muscle cramp management.
  • Further research is needed to develop evidence-based treatments for muscle cramps.