Muscle Physiology and Function

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to muscle physiology and anatomy.

Physiology

The study of the function of living organisms and their parts.

Skeletal Muscle

A type of muscle that is attached to bones and allows for voluntary movement.

Excitable Tissue

A type of tissue that can generate electrical impulses, such as muscle and nervous tissue.

Origin (of Muscle)

The fixed attachment of a muscle, usually the end that does not move.

Insertion (of Muscle)

The end of a muscle that is attached to the bone that moves during contraction.

Antagonistic Muscles

Muscle groups that oppose each other's actions, such as biceps and triceps.

Agonistic Muscles

The primary muscles responsible for creating a specific movement.

Synergist Muscles

Muscles that assist the prime mover in performing a movement.

Flexion

A movement that decreases the angle between two body parts.

Extension

A movement that increases the angle between two body parts.

Tendon

A connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Fascia

A band or sheet of connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs.

Striations

The alternating light and dark bands found in skeletal muscles.

Myo-

A prefix that indicates muscle.

EPI-, PERI-, ENDO-

Prefixes that refer to outer, surrounding, and inner layers respectively in anatomical terms.