Microscopic and Gross Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the structure and function of skeletal muscle.

Muscle Fiber

Made up of myofibrils; the basic cellular unit of muscle.

Myofibril

A bundle of myofilaments within a muscle fiber.

Sarcomere

The smallest contractile unit of muscle, located on myofibrils between two z lines.

Actin

A protein that forms the thin myofilament.

Myosin

A protein that forms the thick myofilament.

Fascicle

A bundle of muscle fibers.

Endomysium

Connective tissue that covers individual muscle fibers.

Perimysium

Connective tissue that covers a fascicle.

Epimysium

Connective tissue that covers the muscle proper

Tendon

Cord-shaped fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Aponeurosis

Broad sheet of connective tissue that attaches muscle to muscle.

Agonist

The muscle most responsible for a particular action.

Antagonist

The muscle that opposes another muscle.

Synergist

A muscle that assists another muscle in action.

Fixator

A muscle that stabilizes a structure to allow another motion to occur.

Rectus Abdominis

Straight Abs

Maximus

Term indicating the largest muscle.

Biceps Brachii

upper arm muscle

Deltoid

triangular muscle covering shoulder joint

Flexor Carpi Radialis

Forearm Muscle

Muscle Proper

Bundle of fascicles

myofilament

a very fine thread like structure