Structure and function

agonist

muscle that moves a body part when it contracts

antagonist

opposing or resisting the action of another

cardiac muscle

involuntary, striated heart muscle

fascia

fibrous sheath of connective tissue covers a muscle

fascicle

bundle of muscle fibers

ligament

a fibrous connective tissue connecting bones, cartilage, or other tissue strucutres

muscle fiber

term for muscle cell

nonstriated muscle

muscle that lacks the overlapping myofilaments that are found in striated muscles

prime mover

muscle that has the principle responsibility for a given movement

smooth muscle

involuntary, unstriated muscle of the internal organs and blood vessels

skeletal muscle

voluntary, striated muscle connected to the bony framework of the body

striated muscle

muscle with overlapping myofilaments; skeletal muscle

tendon

a non-stretching fibrous cord that is part of the muscle complex, (e.g. Achilles tendon)

tone, tonicity

tension present in resting muscles