Arrangement of Fascicles

Week 7 – Muscular System (Laboratory Class)

• when a muscle includes the term “Rectus”, its fiber runs parallel to the imaginary line.

• Ex: Rectus Femoris – straight muscle of the thigh. Oblique – runs obliquely.

Direction

• Gluteus Maximus. The term “maximus, minimus, longinus”.

Relative size

• where they are associated. Ex Temporalis & Frontalis muscles.

Location

• Ex: Biceps, Triceps, Quadriceps. Forms part of a muscle name, we can assume that the muscle has 2,3 or 4 origins.

Number of origins

• attachment sites. Ex: Sternocleidomastoid muscles has its origin on the sternum and inserts on the mastoid.

Location of the muscles’ origin and insertion

Ex: Deltoid means triangle.

Shape

Ex: Flexor, Extensor muscle of the wrist, Adductor muscle of the thigh.

Action

• the fascicles are arranged in concentric rings.

Circular

• These are typically found surrounding external body openings. A general term for such muscles is _______

sphincters

• fascicles converge toward a single insertion tendon.

Convergent

• the length of the fascicles run parallel to the long axis of the muscle.

Parallel

• spindle shaped muscle with an expanded midsection.

Fusiform

• fascicles are attached obliquely to a central tendon.

Pennate