How many muscles are in the human body?
Quick Answer
A common estimate is more than 600 skeletal muscles in the human body. Different sources count them slightly differently depending on how small or separate a muscle is considered.
The Full Story
Human anatomy textbooks commonly give a figure of more than 600 skeletal muscles, though the exact count varies with classification. These muscles work with bones and tendons to produce movement, maintain posture, and generate heat. Some muscles are large and obvious, like the quadriceps in the thigh, while others are tiny, such as the stapedius in the middle ear. In addition to skeletal muscle, the body also has smooth muscle in organs and cardiac muscle in the heart. Together, these muscle types allow movement both voluntary and automatic.
Key Facts
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"More than 600 muscles are working in you right now—here’s how they divide up."
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