Body Facts: Muscular System
- There are about 60 muscles in the face. Smiling is easier than frowning. It takes 20 muscles to smile and over 40 to frown.
- The longest muscle in the body is the sartorius, which stretches from the outside of the hip, down and across to the inside of the knee. It rotates the thigh outwards and bends the knee.
- The smallest muscle in the body is the stapedius, deep in the inner ear. It is only 5mm (0.2 in) long and thinner than a cotton thread. It is involved in sound recognition.
- The biggest muscle in the body is the gluteus maximus, in the buttock. It pulls the leg backwards powerfully when walking, running or climbing steps.
Facts courtesy of BODY WORLDS.
Image: J.B. Spector/Museum of Science+Industry .
- Museum Hours
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- Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Museum Location
- Getting Here
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Animal Inside Out
A stunning look inside the animal kingdom from the creators of BODY WORLDS.
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Space Junk
A visually stunning exploration of our planet's perilous ring of orbiting debris.
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Air Racers
Ride along as elite pilots fight for position, wingtip-to-wingtip, in the fastest motor sport.
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- Coming Soon
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Inventive Genius Lecture: Empires of Light
Jill Jonnes discusses the electric clashes between Edison, Tesla and Westinghouse.
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The Wooded Isle and Gardens of the World's Fair
Cathy Maloney discusses the gardens of the World's Fairs and tours the Wooded Isle.
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The Wooded Isle and Gardens of the World's Fair
Cathy Maloney returns to discuss World's Fair gardens and tour the Wooded Isle.
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