Word parts
muscul muscle (from Latin)-ar relating to
What it means
Used for anything about muscle: muscular pain, muscular strength, muscular dystrophy (a group of inherited diseases that weaken muscles). The muscular system includes skeletal muscle, which moves the bones, as well as smooth muscle in organs and cardiac muscle in the heart.
Related terms
smooth muscle
Muscle that works without conscious control and lines hollow organs such as the stomach, intestines, bladder, airways and blood vessels.
musculoskeletal
Having to do with the muscles, bones, joints, tendons and ligaments.
skeletal muscle
Muscle attached to bones that a person moves by choice, such as the muscles of the arms and legs.
voluntary muscle
Muscle that a person can move by choice, such as the muscles of the arms and legs.