Chapter 11: The Muscular System - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering major muscle terms, structures, and actions from the lecture notes on Chapter 11.

Origin

The fixed attachment point of a muscle to the bone (or other structure) that remains relatively stationary during contraction.

Insertion

The moving attachment point of a muscle to the bone (or other structure) that moves when the muscle contracts.

Agonist (prime mover)

The muscle that provides the major force for producing a specific movement.

Antagonist

A muscle that opposes or reverses a particular movement.

Synergist

A muscle that helps the prime mover by adding extra force or by reducing unnecessary movement."

Fixator

A muscle that immobilizes a bone or the origin of a muscle to stabilize the movement.

Circular fascicle arrangement (sphincter)

Fascicles arranged in concentric rings; example: orbicularis oris.

Convergent fascicle arrangement

Fascicles originate from a broad area and converge toward a single tendon; example: pectoralis major.

Parallel fascicle arrangement

Fascicles run parallel to the muscle’s long axis; includes strap-like muscles (e.g., sartorius, biceps brachii).

Unipennate

Fascicles insert into only one side of a central tendon (e.g., extensor digitorum longus).

Bipennate

Fascicles insert into the tendon from opposite sides, giving a feathered appearance (e.g., rectus femoris).

Multipennate

Tendon branches with many feather-like fascicles (e.g., deltoid).

Lever

A rigid bar that moves on a fixed fulcrum when a force (effort) is applied to move a resistance (load).

Fulcrum

The fixed point about which a lever moves (joints in the human body act as fulcrums).

Effort

The applied force used to move a load in a lever system.

Load

The resistance moved by a lever system.

Body lever mechanics (summary)

Joints serve as fulcrums, bones act as levers, and muscles provide the effort.

Etymology

The study of the origins and history of words; crucial for understanding anatomical terms.

Abdominis

Root indicating the abdomen.

Brachialis

Muscle of the upper arm (brachium).

Capitis

Root meaning head.

Carpi

Root meaning wrist.

Cervicis

Root meaning neck.

Cleido- (clavius)

Root relating to the clavicle.

Coccygeus

Muscle associated with the coccyx (coccygeus).

Costalis

Root meaning rib.

Femoris

Root meaning femur.

Glosso- / glossal

Root meaning tongue.

Hallucis

Root meaning great toe.

Ilio-

Root meaning ilium.

Inguinal

Root relating to the groin.

Nasalis

Root relating to the nose.

Oculo

Root relating to the eye.

Oris

Root relating to the mouth.

Palpebrae

Root relating to the eyelid.

Pollicis

Root relating to the thumb.

Popliteus

Root relating to the back of the knee.

Psoas

Root meaning loin.

Radialis

Root relating to the radius (forearm bone).

Scapularis

Root relating to the scapula.

Temporalis

Root relating to the temple.

Tibialis

Root relating to the tibia.

Ulnaris

Root relating to the ulna.

Uro-

Root relating to urine.

Anterior

Position term meaning toward the front.

Externus

Superficial or outer; external position.

Extrinsic

Outside or external relative to a structure.

Inferioris

Lower or inferior position.

Internus

Internal or deep relative to a structure.

Lateralis

Toward the side.

Mediallis / medius

Toward the midline; medius indicates middle.

Oblique

Slanted or diagonal orientation.

Posterior

Toward the back.

Profundus

Deep or internal layer.

Rectus

Straight or parallel to the midline.

Superficialis

Superficial or near the surface.

Superiorus

Upper or superior position.

Transversus

Across or transverse orientation.

Biceps

Muscle with two origins.

Triceps

Muscle with three origins.

Quadriceps

Muscle group with four origins.

Deltoid

Triangular-shaped muscle.

Orbicularis

Circular (ring-shaped) muscle.

Pectinate

Comb-like shape.

Platy

Flat shape.

Rhomboid

Rhombus-shaped muscle.

Serratus

Serrated or saw-toothed edge.

Spleinus

(Note: listed as 'Spleinus' in notes) bandage-like feature or arrangement.

Teres

Long and round.

Trapezius

Muscle with a trapezoid shape.

Alba

White (as in linea alba).

Brevis

Short.

Gracilis

Slender muscle.

Lata / Latissimus

Lata = wide; Latissimus = widest.

Longissimus / Longus

Longissimus = longest; Longus = long.

Magnus / Major / Maximus

Magnus = large; Major = larger; Maximus = largest.

Minimus / Minor

Minimus = smallest; Minor = smaller.

Vastus

Great.

Abductor

Moves a segment away from the midline.

Adductor

Moves a segment toward the midline.

Depressor

Lowers a body part.

Extensor

Straightens or extends a body part.

Flexor

Bends or flexes a body part.

Levator

Elevates a body part.

Pronator

Rotates the forearm to turn the palm downward.

Rotator

Rotates a part of the body.

Supinator

Supinates the forearm (rotates palm upward).

Tensor

Tenses a segment.

Buccinator

Cheek muscle; assists in sucking or blowing.

Risorius

Muscle that pulls corners of the lips laterally (grimace).

Sartorius

Tailor’s muscle; name reflects its long, diagonal path.

Frontalis

Facial muscle that wrinkles the forehead and raises eyebrows.

Orbicularis oculi

Muscle that closes the eyelids.

Orbicularis oris

Muscle that closes and purses the lips.

Risorius (facial)

Lateral pull of the lips (grimace).

Zygomaticus major

Raises corners of the mouth (smile).

Zygomaticus minor

Assists in smiling by elevating the upper lip.

Buccinator (facial)

Cheek muscle; aids in sucking and whistling.

Levator palpebrae

Raises the upper eyelid.

Superior rectus / Medial rectus / Inferior rectus / Lateral rectus

Rectus muscles controlling vertical and horizontal eye movements.