Lab 9 Terms & Definitions

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Action

Body movement because of a muscle contraction

Innervate

To supply a muscle (or other structure) with nerves

Insertion

Muscle attachment point that will move the structure to which it is attached when the muscle contracts

Origin

Relatively stationary attachment point(s) of a muscle

Agonist (Prime Mover)

Muscle that contracts to produce a particular movement

Antagonist

Muscle that opposes the action of its agonist partner

Synergist

Muscles that aid the action of the agonist(s) by guiding the movement to ensure a smooth action

Fixators

Muscles tha stabilize the bone during an action

Brevis

Short

Longus

Long

Vastus

Wide/Large

Anterior

Towards the Front

External

Towards the Outside

Infra

Below

Intercoastal

Between the ribs

Internal

Towards the inside

Posterior

Towards the back

Profundus

Deep

Superficialis

Near the surface/Closer to the surface

Supra

Above

Abductor

Away from the midline

Adductor

Towards the midline

Depressor

Pulls down

Erector

Holds erect or straight

Extensor

Increases angle between bones

Flexor

Decreases angle between bones

Levator

Raises a body part

Pronator

Turns palm posteriorly

Supinator

Turns palm anteriorly

Abdominis

Abdominal Area

Brachii

Arm Area

Capitis

Head Area

Carpi

Wrist Area

Cervicis

Neck Area

Digitorum/Digiti

Fingers/Toes

Femoris

Femur/Thigh

Gluteal

Buttocks

Hallucis

Great Toe

Oculi

Eye Area

Oris

Mouth Area

Pectoralis

Chest Area

Pollicis

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