The Frank-Starling curve for heart muscle is analogous to a length-tension curve in skeletal muscle.

Question

The Frank-Starling curve for heart muscle is analogous to a length-tension curve in skeletal muscle.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both the Frank-Starling curve for heart muscle and the length-tension curve in skeletal muscle describe the relationship between muscle length and muscle tension. In heart muscle, the Frank-Starling curve shows that an increase in preload (filling of the heart before contraction) leads to an increase in stroke volume (amount of blood pumped out of the heart), while in skeletal muscle, the length-tension curve shows that optimal muscle tension is reached when the muscle is at its optimal resting length. Both curves demonstrate the importance of muscle length and tension in muscle function.

The Frank-Starling Curve for Heart Muscle Is Analogous to a Length-Tension