Muscles of the Body

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms and concepts related to human anatomy, focusing on muscles, their functions, arrangements, and mechanical principles.

Skeletal muscles

Muscles that attach to the bony skeleton and produce movements.

Fascicle arrangement

The pattern in which muscle fibers are organized within a muscle, indicating its action.

Mechanical advantage

Occurs when the effort arm is longer than the load arm, allowing heavier loads to be moved more efficiently.

First-class lever

A lever where the fulcrum is between the load and effort, such as seesaws or lifting one's head.

Second-class lever

A lever where the load is between the effort and fulcrum, exemplified by a wheelbarrow.

Third-class lever

A lever where the effort is applied closer to the fulcrum than the load, typically found in muscles like the biceps brachii.

Prime mover (agonist)

The muscle that has the major responsibility for a specific movement.

Antagonist

Muscle that opposes or reverses the action of another muscle.

Synergist

Muscle that helps the prime mover by adding extra force or reducing undesirable movements.

Muscle compartment

A division of limb muscles bound by connective tissue, grouping muscles with similar actions.

Levator ani

A muscle that forms the pelvic diaphragm and supports pelvic organs.

Diaphragm

The most important muscle of respiration, which flattens during contraction to increase thoracic cavity volume.

Transversus abdominis

A flat abdominal muscle that helps to compress the abdominal cavity.

Ischiocavernosus

A muscle of the superficial perineal space involved in erectile tissue function.

Pectoralis major

A large muscle that moves the shoulder and supports arm movements.

Buccinator

A muscle that compresses the cheeks and aids in mastication.