Criteria for Naming Skeletal Muscles

Name the seven different types of criteria for naming skeletal muscles

Orientation, size, shape, action, number of origins, location, origin and insertion

Orientation: muscle parallel to body midline

Rectus

Orientation: muscle perpendicular to body midline

Transverse

Orientation: muscle diagonal to body midline

Oblique

Size: largest

Maximus

Size: middle

Medius

Size: smallest

Minimus

Size: large

Magnus

Size: shortest

Brevis

Size: wide

Latissimus

Size: larger

Major

Size: smaller

Minor

Size: great

Vastus

Shape: triangular

Deltoid

Shape: trapezoid

Trapezius

Shape: saw-toothed

Sarratus

Shape: diamond shaped

Rhomboid

Shape: circular

Orbicularis

Shape: comb like

Pectinate

Shape: pear-shaped

Piriformis

Shape: flat

Platysma

Shape: Square

Quadratus

Shape: slender

Gracilis

Action: decreases joint angle

Flexor

Action: increases joint angle

Extensor

Action: moves bone away from midline

Abductor

Action: moves bone close to midline

Adductor

Action: elevates

Levator

Action: depresses

Depressor

Action: turns palm superiorly or anteriorly

Supinator

Action: turns palm in inferiorly or posteriorly

Pronator

Action: decreases size of opening

Sphincter

Action: makes a body part rigid

Tensor

Action: moves bone around longitudinal axis

Rotator

Number of origins: two origins

Biceps

Number of origins: three origins

Triceps

Number of origins: four origins

Quadriceps

Location: located on the frontal bone

Frontalis

Origin and insertion: originates on the sternum, inserts on the hyoid bone

Sternohyoid

The nonmoving point of attachment when a muscle contracts

Origin

The attachment of a muscle that moves when the muscle contracts

Insertion

What type of muscle has both its origin and insertion within the same body region?

Intrinsic

What type of muscle extends from one body region to another?

Extrinsic

Name the seven different types of criteria for naming skeletal muscles

Orientation, size, shape, action, number of origins, location, origin and insertion

Orientation: muscle parallel to body midline

Rectus

Orientation: muscle perpendicular to body midline

Transverse

Orientation: muscle diagonal to body midline

Oblique

Size: largest

Maximus

Size: middle

Medius

Size: smallest

Minimus

Size: large

Magnus

Size: shortest

Brevis

Size: wide

Latissimus

Size: larger

Major

Size: smaller

Minor

Size: great

Vastus

Shape: triangular

Deltoid

Shape: trapezoid

Trapezius

Shape: saw-toothed

Sarratus

Shape: diamond shaped

Rhomboid

Shape: circular

Orbicularis

Shape: comb like

Pectinate

Shape: pear-shaped

Piriformis

Shape: flat

Platysma

Shape: Square

Quadratus

Shape: slender

Gracilis

Action: decreases joint angle

Flexor

Action: increases joint angle

Extensor

Action: moves bone away from midline

Abductor

Action: moves bone close to midline

Adductor

Action: elevates

Levator

Action: depresses

Depressor

Action: turns palm superiorly or anteriorly

Supinator

Action: turns palm in inferiorly or posteriorly

Pronator

Action: decreases size of opening

Sphincter

Action: makes a body part rigid

Tensor

Action: moves bone around longitudinal axis

Rotator

Number of origins: two origins

Biceps

Number of origins: three origins

Triceps

Number of origins: four origins

Quadriceps

Location: located on the frontal bone

Frontalis

Origin and insertion: originates on the sternum, inserts on the hyoid bone

Sternohyoid

The nonmoving point of attachment when a muscle contracts

Origin

The attachment of a muscle that moves when the muscle contracts

Insertion

What type of muscle has both its origin and insertion within the same body region?

Intrinsic

What type of muscle extends from one body region to another?

Extrinsic