Muscles Movements and Terms

Agonist

the prime mover, or the muscle that does the most work

Antagonist

a muscle that relaxes while another contracts, or does the opposite motion

Fixator

holds the body part in place while the action takes place

Synergist

the helper muscle, assists in making the motion happen

Peristalsis

a wave like motion by smooth muscle to advance substances

Abduction

movement away from midline

Adduction

moving of a body part toward the midline, central axis of the body

Flexion

act of bending a joint; especially a joint between the bones of a limb so that the angle between them is decreased

Extension

increasing a joint angle

Hyperextension

extension past normal extension, or past anatomical position

Plantarflexion

specific to ankle motion, pointing the toes

Dorsiflexion

specific to ankle motion, pulling the toes towards the shin

Supination

rotation of the hands and forearms so that the palms face upward

Pronation

rotation of the hands and forearms so that the palms face downward

Rotation

movement around an axis

Circumduction

a circular movement of a limb or eye; cone shaped motion

Origin

the most proximal end of the muscle, the non moving end, or where the muscle starts

Insertion

the distal end of a muscle, the moving end, or where the muscle goes to