Muscle Tissue and Muscles of the Human Body

These flashcards cover key terminology and muscle definitions related to muscle tissue and various muscles of the human body.

Sarcomere

The structural unit of a muscle, composed of A band, H band, M line, I bands, Z lines, and zone of overlap.

Troponin

A protein involved in muscle contraction that helps regulate the interaction of actin and myosin.

Tropomyosin

A protein that blocks the binding sites on actin filaments for myosin, preventing contraction.

Myosin

A thick filament protein that interacts with actin to generate muscle contraction.

Actin

A thin filament protein that, in interaction with myosin, is crucial for muscle contraction.

Neuromuscular junction

The synapse or junction between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber, where nerve signals transfer to muscles.

Motor unit

A motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates.

Masseter

A muscle that elevates the mandible, used in chewing.

Sternocleidomastoid

A muscle that rotates and flexes the neck, connecting the sternum and clavicle to the skull.

Rectus abdominis

A muscle that flexes the vertebral column and compresses the abdomen.

Latissimus dorsi

A muscle in the back that extends, adducts, and medially rotates the shoulder.

Deltoid

A shoulder muscle responsible for abduction, flexion, and extension of the arm.

Biceps brachii

A muscle in the upper arm that flexes the elbow and rotates the forearm.

Gluteus maximus

The largest muscle of the buttocks which is responsible for hip extension.

Gastrocnemius

A major calf muscle that flexes the knee and plantar flexes the foot.

Tibialis anterior

A muscle that dorsiflexes and inverts the foot.

Hamstrings

A group of muscles at the back of the thigh that flex the knee.

Pectoralis major

A thick, fan-shaped muscle that adducts and medially rotates the arm.

Triceps brachii

A muscle at the back of the arm that extends the elbow.

Flexor carpi radialis

A muscle that flexes and abducts the wrist.

Extensor digitorum

A muscle that extends the fingers.

Sartorius

The longest muscle in the body that flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates the thigh.