BIO 210: Major Muscles of the Body

Vocabulary flashcards covering high-yield anatomical terms, muscle functions, connective tissues, and specific muscle actions from BIO 210 lecture notes.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated muscles that are controlled by the individual and used during exercise.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, smooth muscles that cannot be controlled and work the inner parts of the body (viscera).

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated muscles of the heart that do not get tired and are myogenic.

Myogenic

A type of contraction that comes from within the muscle cell itself, characteristic of cardiac muscle.

Endomysium

A delicate membrane composed of connective tissue which covers individual skeletal muscle fibers.

Perimysium

The tough connective tissue which binds skeletal muscle fibers together by wrapping around fascicles.

Fascicles

Groups or bundles of muscle fibers.

Epimysium

A coarse sheet of connective tissue that covers the whole muscle.

Tendon

An extension of periosteum on the bone end that connects muscle to bone, formed by the union of epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium.

Aponeurosis

A broad, flat sheet of connective tissue that extends from the fibrous coverings of the muscle and connects muscle to muscle.

Tendon Sheath

A fibrous connective tissue lined with synovial membrane that encloses certain tendons to allow easy movement, typically found in the wrist and ankle.

Deep Fascia

Dense fibrous connective tissue that separates individual muscles and whose extensions form the epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium.

Parallel Muscles

Long strap-like muscles with parallel fascicles that vary in length and can be horizontal or vertical.

Convergent Muscles

Muscles where fascicles converge to a narrow attachment, such as the Pectoralis muscle.

Unipennate

A 'feather-like' muscle arrangement where fascicles anchor to only one side of the connective tissue shaft.

Bipennate

A double feather muscle arrangement where fascicles attach to two sides of the connective tissue shaft.

Multipennate

Muscle arrangement consisting of numerous, interconnecting, quill-like fascicles converging on a common point of attachment.

Circular Muscles

Also known as sphincter muscles, these encircle body tubes or openings.

Origin

The point of muscle attachment that does not move during muscle contraction.

Insertion

The point or points of attachment that move when the muscles contract.

Prime Mover

A muscle or group of muscles which directly performs a specific movement.

Antagonists

Muscles that oppose the movement of the prime mover and are relaxed when the prime mover is contracting.

Synergists

Muscles that contract at the same time as the prime movers to facilitate or complement the action and make it more efficient.

Fixator Muscles

Muscles that serve to stabilize joints and help maintain balance and posture during the contractions of prime movers.

Orbicularis oculi

Muscle that encircles and closes the eyes and allows blinking.

Zygomaticus major

Muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth upward, allowing laughing; inserts at the angle of the mouth.

Orbicularis oris

Muscle that encircles the mouth, allowing puckering and kissing.

Buccinator

Muscle that presses lips and cheeks against teeth, allowing blowing and whistling.

Temporalis and Masseter

Muscles of mastication that elevate the mandible to close the jaw; both insert on the mandible.

Sternocleidomastoid

The 'Prayer Muscle' that flexes the head toward the thorax when paired sides contract or turns the head to the side when contracting alone; inserts on the mastoid process.

External intercostals

Muscles of the thorax that elevate the ribs to allow inhalation.

Internal intercostals

Muscles of the thorax that depress the ribs to allow exhalation.

Diaphragm

Muscle that enlarges the thorax to cause inspiration.

Rectus abdominus

Midline abdominal muscle that flexes the trunk of the body and aids in compressing the abdomen.

Trapezius

Muscle that raises and lowers the shoulders (shrugs); inserts on the clavicle and scapula.

Serratus anterior

Muscle that pulls the shoulder forward and upward for punching movements; inserts on the anterior surface of the scapula.

Pectoralis major

Muscle that flexes the upper arm and adducts it anteriorly across the chest; inserts on the humerus.

Latissimus dorsi

Muscle that extends the upper arm and adducts it posteriorly across the back; inserts on the humerus.

Deltoid

Triangular muscle that abducts the upper arm and assists with flexion and extension; inserts halfway down the lateral side of the humerus.

Biceps brachii

Muscle that supinates the forearm and hand and flexes the supinated forearm; inserts on the radius.

Brachialis

Muscle that flexes the pronated forearm; inserts on the ulna.

Brachioradialis

Muscle that supinates the forearm and hand and flexes the semipronated or semisupinated forearm; inserts on the styloid process of the radius.

Triceps brachii

Muscle that extends the forearm; inserts on the olecranon process of the ulna.

Iliopsoas

Muscle that flexes the thigh; inserts on the femur.

Rectus femoris

Muscle shared by the quadriceps group that flexes the thigh and extends the leg; inserts on the tibia.

Gracilis

Muscle that adducts the thigh and flexes the lower leg; inserts on the tibia.

Quadriceps femoris group

A group of four muscles including the rectus femoris and the three vastus muscles (lateralis, medialis, intermedius) which primarily extend the lower leg and insert on the tibia.

Sartorius

Muscle that flexes the lower leg and permits sitting in tailor fashion ('indian style'); inserts on the tibia.

Hamstring group

A group of muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus) that flex the lower leg and extend the thigh.

Tibialis anterior

Muscle responsible for dorsiflexion and inverting the foot.

Gastrocnemius and Soleus

Prime mover muscles responsible for plantar flexion of the foot.