heel tendons may assist walking in
some cases. The long-term outlook
depends on the particular form.
Families in which a child or adult has
developed any form of muscular dystro-
phy should receive genetic counselling.
muscular systemThe muscles of the
body that are attached to the skeleton.
These muscles are responsible for vol-
untary movement, and also support and
stabilize the skeleton. In most cases, a
muscle attaches to a bone (usually by
means of a tendon) and crosses over a
joint to attach to another bone. Muscles
can produce movement by contracting
and shortening to pull on the bone
to which they are attached. They can
only pull, not push, and are thereforemuscles of the hands, face, neck, and
feet, and causes learning difficulties.
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy mainly
affects muscles in the hips and shoul-
ders, and facioscapulohumeral muscular
dystrophy affects muscles in the upper
arms, shoulder girdle, and face. In this
last form, severe disability is rare.
A diagnosis for Duchenne muscular
dystrophy can be made with gene test-
ing before symptoms develop. Once
muscle weakness develops other tests
become useful, including measurement
of muscle enzymesand an EMG.
There is no cure, and physiotherapyis
the main treatment. Remaining as
active as possible keeps healthy mus-
cles in good condition. Surgery to theMUSCULAR SYSTEMMUSCULAR SYSTEM MUSCULAR SYSTEMM
FRONT VIEWTrapeziusSplenius of headSemispinalis of headDeltoidTriceps
of armExtensor
of fingersGluteus
maximus
Biceps of
thighSoleus
Achilles
tendon
Short
extensor
of toesLong flexor
of toeErector
of spineGluteus
minimusQuadrate
of thighGreat
AdductorOrbicular
of eyePlatysmaUlnar
extensor
of wristInfraspinousSemi-
membranousTemporoparietalSternocleidomastoidBiceps
of armRectus of
abdomenExternal
oblique of
abdomenSartoriusRectus
of thighMedial
vastusDorsal
interosseous
of footAbductor of
great toeAnterior
tibialInternal
oblique of
abdomenShort extensor
of great toeGracilisSmaller
pectoralExternal
intercostalInternal
intercostalGreater
pectoralDeltoidIliopsoasGastrocnemiusOccipitofrontalDeep
flexor of
fingersBACK VIEW