fascicles and muscle shapes

fusiform muscles

thick in the middle with fascicles converging on each tapered end

example of fusiform muscles

biceps brachii

parallel muscles

fairly inform width and parallel fascicles

parallel muscles examples

• rectus abdominis

• sartorius

• zygomatic major

triangular (convergent) muscles

• fan-shaped 

• broad at one end with fascicles converging on the other, narrower end

convergent muscles examples

• pectoralis major

• temporalis

pennate muscles

feather-shaped

what are the three types of pennate muscles?

• unipennate

• bipenate

• multipennate

circular muscles (sphincters)

have fascicles in rings around certain body openings and passages

circular muscles examples

• orbicularis oculi

• external urethral sphincter

• external anal sphincter

• pyloric sphincter