BIOL 2401 Muscular System Pre-Lab

Vocabulary and concept review flashcards based on Page 2 of the BIOL 2401 Muscular System Pre-Lab, covering muscle identification, movement analysis, and muscular functional concepts.

Tibialis anterior

A muscle located in the anterior leg region whose primary action is dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot.

Gluteus medius

A muscle located in the lateral hip/gluteal region that abducts and medially rotates the thigh, stabilizing the pelvis.

External oblique

A superficial abdominal muscle that compresses the abdominal cavity and assists in trunk rotation and lateral flexion.

Muscle origin

The skeletal muscle attachment point to a bone or structure that remains relatively fixed or stationary during contraction.

Muscle insertion

The skeletal muscle attachment point that is pulled toward the origin and moves during muscle contraction.

Agonist

The muscle that serves as the primary mover producing a specific movement, such as the biceps brachii during elbow flexion.

Antagonist

The muscle that opposes or yields to the movement of an agonist, such as the triceps brachii relaxing and stretching during elbow flexion.

Antagonistic pairs

Functional muscle pairings positioned on opposite sides of a joint that allow opposing actions, necessary because muscles can only actively pull (contract) and cannot push.

Dorsiflexion

The movement of bending the foot upward at the ankle joint toward the shin, primarily executed by the tibialis anterior.

Knee extension (rising from a chair)

The straightening movement at the knee joint, primarily driven by the quadriceps femoris muscle group.

Plantarflexion (standing on tiptoes)

The downward movement of the foot at the ankle joint, primarily powered by the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus).

Elbow flexion with supination

The movement of bending the elbow joint while lifting an object with the palm facing upward, primarily driven by the biceps brachii.

Scapular retraction

The movement of pulling the shoulder blades backward toward the vertebral column, primarily performed by the rhomboids and middle trapezius.

Hip flexion (lifting the thigh forward)

The movement of raising the thigh forward and upward at the hip joint, primarily powered by the iliopsoas and rectus femoris.