Muscle Anatomy Review

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to muscle anatomy.

Mastication

The process of chewing, involving the muscles of mastication such as the masseter and temporalis.

Agonist

The primary muscle that is responsible for producing a specific movement.

Antagonist

A muscle that opposes the action of the agonist; for example, when the biceps brachii flexes the arm, the triceps is the antagonist.

Isometric contraction

Muscle contraction where the muscle generates force without changing length, as seen when holding a position.

Concentric contraction

Muscle contraction where the muscle shortens while contracting, typically used in flexing motions.

Eccentric contraction

Muscle contraction where the muscle lengthens while under tension, often in a controlled way during extension.

Fascicle arrangement

The arrangement of muscle fibers within a muscle, which can vary in shape (e.g., parallel, pennate, circular).

Biceps brachii

A muscle located in the upper arm that flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm.

Rectus femoris

A muscle of the quadriceps that is responsible for flexing the hip and extending the knee.

Trapezius

A large muscle located in the back that is responsible for moving, rotating, and stabilizing the shoulder blade.

Rotator cuff

A group of muscles and their tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder joint.

SITS group

The group of muscles in the rotator cuff: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.

Intrinsic muscle

Muscles that originate and insert within the same body part.

Extrinsic muscle

Muscles that originate outside of the body part they act on.

Plantar flexion

The movement that increases the angle between the foot and the leg, exemplified by pushing the toes downward.

Supinator

A muscle that rotates the forearm or hand so that the palm faces upward.

Pronator

A muscle that rotates the forearm or hand so that the palm faces downward.

Intercostal muscles

Muscles located between the ribs that are involved in the mechanics of breathing.

Epicranius

A muscle that covers the top of the skull; it helps in raising the eyebrows.

Force production

The ability of muscles to produce force, which is essential for all movement.

Flexor carpi radialis

A muscle of the forearm that flexes and abducts the wrist.

Eccentric training

A form of exercise that focuses on the lengthening of muscles, often used in rehabilitation and strength training.

Quadriceps

A group of four muscles located at the front of the thigh that are responsible for extending the knee.

Biceps brachii location and function

Located in the upper arm, the biceps brachii flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm.

Rectus femoris location and function

Part of the quadriceps, the rectus femoris is found at the front of the thigh and is responsible for flexing the hip and extending the knee.

Trapezius location and function

Located in the back, the trapezius moves, rotates, and stabilizes the shoulder blade.

Rotator cuff location and function

Located around the shoulder joint, the rotator cuff stabilizes the shoulder.

Intercostal muscles location and function

Located between the ribs, intercostal muscles are involved in the mechanics of breathing.

Flexor carpi radialis location and function

Found in the forearm, the flexor carpi radialis flexes and abducts the wrist.

Quadriceps location and function

Located at the front of the thigh, the quadriceps is a group of four muscles responsible for extending the knee.

SITS group location and function

The SITS group (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) is located in the shoulder and stabilizes the shoulder joint.

Epicranius location and function

Covers the top of the skull and helps in raising the eyebrows.

Supinator location and function

Located in the forearm, the supinator rotates the forearm so that the palm faces upward.

Pronator location and function

Located in the forearm, the pronator rotates the forearm so that the palm faces downward.

Fascicle arrangement

The arrangement of muscle fibers, which can vary in shape, affecting their function.

Intrinsic muscle definition

Muscles that originate and insert within the same body part, aiding in local movements.

Extrinsic muscle definition

Muscles that originate outside of the body part they act on, controlling broader movements.