Muscle System Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions relating to the muscle system, including muscle actions, classifications, and anatomical terminology.

Prime mover (agonist)

Muscle with major responsibility for producing a specific movement.

Antagonist

Muscle that opposes or reverses a particular movement.

Synergist

Muscle that helps prime movers by adding extra force to the same movement or reducing undesirable/unnecessary movement.

Fixator

A synergist that immobilizes a bone or muscle’s origin, providing a stable base for the prime mover.

Fascicle arrangements

The way in which muscle fibers are organized; examples include circular, convergent, parallel, and fusiform.

Flexion

Decreasing the angle of a joint.

Extension

Increasing the angle of a joint.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body.

Pronation

Movement that turns the palm down.

Supination

Movement that turns the palm up.

Elevation

Raising a body part.

Depression

Lowering a body part.

Medial Rotation

Rotation of a limb toward the body.

Lateral Rotation

Rotation of a limb away from the body.

Dorsiflexion

Movement that raises the foot, bringing the toes closer to the shin.

Plantar flexion

Movement that points the toes away from the shin.

Deltoid muscle

Muscle responsible for arm abduction; has a triangular shape.

Rectus abdominis

Muscle that flexes the vertebral column and is located in the abdomen.

Pectoralis major

Muscle that adducts and medially rotates the arm.