Myology, the study of muscles

Myology (from the Ancient Greek “muos”, muscle) is the scientific and medical study of muscle. This very old discipline, studied since Antiquity, is the reason for the existence of the Institute of Myology, which for almost 30 years has been working to have it recognised, advancing knowledge of the biology, genetics and pathophysiology of muscle and its diseases, and fostering the emergence of innovative therapies for neuromuscular diseases.

Muscles, which account for 40% of our body mass, play a vital role in motor, respiratory and cardiac function and interact with many organs and biological mechanisms. During muscular exercise, for example, muscle secretes small molecules called myokines that spread through the body and have beneficial effects on the whole organism. Furthermore, while 400 neuromuscular diseases have been identified, muscle is also affected in the main chronic diseases such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, but also cancer and diabetes, and it can act as a prognostic marker for them. Because of its prominent place in the human body and its cross-cutting role, muscle lies at the heart of a discipline, myology, which deserves to be taught as such and to be recognised.