Chapter 11 Muscular System: Axial and Appendicular Muscles

Fundamental vocabulary and clinical terms regarding muscle attachments, naming conventions, and specific muscle groups of the axial and appendicular skeletons.

Tendon

A structure that attaches muscle to bone, skin, or another muscle.

Aponeurosis

A thin, flattened sheetlike tendon.

Superior attachment

The usually more moveable attachment site for axial muscles.

Inferior attachment

The usually less moveable attachment site for axial muscles.

Proximal attachment

The usually less moveable attachment site for appendicular muscles.

Distal attachment

The usually more moveable attachment site for appendicular muscles.

Rectus

An orientation of muscle fibers indicating they run in a vertically straight direction.

Deltoid

A muscle named for its triangular shape, resembling the Greek delta symbol.

Gluteus maximus

The largest of the buttocks muscles, named based on its size.

Triceps brachii

A muscle named for having three heads at its attachment site.

Intramuscular Injections

A route of medication administration into a muscle via a syringe, allowing for large amounts of medication and slower, uniform delivery compared to oral or intravenous routes.

Suprahyoid muscles

A group of muscles superior to the hyoid bone (Digastric, Geniohyoid, Mylohyoid, Stylohyoid) that elevate the hyoid bone during swallowing or speaking.

Infrahyoid muscles

A group of muscles inferior to the hyoid bone (Omohyoid, Sternohyoid, Sternothyroid, Thyrohyoid) that depress the hyoid bone or thyroid cartilage as swallowing finishes.

Stylohyoid

A muscle that attaches to the styloid process of the temporal bone and elongates the oral cavity during swallowing.

Thyrohyoid

A muscle extending from the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid that closes off the larynx during swallowing.

External intercostals

Muscles that elevate the ribs during inspiration to increase the size of the thoracic cavity.

Internal intercostals

Muscles deep to the external intercostals that depress the ribs during forced expiration.

Serratus posterior superior

A muscle that elevates the ribs during forced inspiration, increasing the lateral dimensions of the thorax.

Serratus posterior inferior

A muscle that depresses the ribs during forced expiration.

Pelvic diaphragm

The three layers of muscles and fasciae that form the pelvic floor and support pelvic viscera.

Rotator Cuff Muscles

A group of muscles consisting of the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor.

Lateral Epicondylitis

Also known as tennis elbow; a condition involving pain at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus due to trauma or overuse of the common extensor tendon.

Adductor magnus

A medial thigh muscle that adducts, extends, and laterally rotates the thigh.

Hamstrings group

A group of three posterior thigh muscles (biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus) that extend the thigh and flex the knee.

Groin strain

The tearing, stretching, or straining of the proximal attachments of the medial muscles of the thigh.

Tibialis anterior

The primary dorsiflexor of the foot, which also functions to invert the foot.

Fibularis longus

A lateral leg muscle that is a powerful foot evertor and weak plantar flexor, attaching to the plantar side of the foot.

Triceps surae

A muscle group consisting of the gastrocnemius and the soleus, which attach to the calcaneus via the calcaneal tendon.

Popliteus

A muscle in the deep posterior compartment of the leg that flexes the leg and medially rotates the tibia, having no action at the ankle or foot.

Compartment syndrome

The compression of blood vessels within a limb compartment due to inflammation and swelling, leading to increased pressure because deep fascia cannot stretch.

Plantar Fasciitis

Inflammation of the plantar aponeurosis, often associated with overexertion, excessive body weight, or poor shoes.