Hawaii Massage License Practice Exam

What is one of the primary functions of the muscular system?

1. Protection

2. Posture

3. Digestion

4. Respiration

The correct answer is: Posture

One of the primary functions of the muscular system is to maintain posture. The muscular system is composed of various types of muscles, including skeletal muscles, which play a crucial role in stabilizing and supporting the body in an upright position. The muscles continuously contract and relax to help maintain the proper alignment of the skeleton, allowing individuals to stand, sit, or move without collapsing or losing balance. While protection, digestion, and respiration can involve muscular activity, they do not represent the primary function of the muscular system. For instance, protection is primarily associated with the skeletal system, which provides a framework for the body and shields vital organs. Digestion involves smooth muscle contractions in the digestive tract, but this is a function of the involuntary muscular system and not its primary purpose. Respiration requires the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to assist in breathing, yet it is a function that supports life but does not encompass the overall primary role of the muscular system as it relates to posture.