Muscle Anatomy and Function Quiz

The study of how muscles work, their structure, and how they contribute to movement.

Muscles are the actuators of the body, meaning they create movement by contracting.

The way muscles are named (e.g., biceps, triceps) often reflects their shape, size, location, or function.

Muscle structure varies across species. Quadrupeds have different leg adaptations compared to bipeds.

Muscles are organized in layers and groups, allowing for precise and coordinated movement.

Bundles of long protein filaments called myofibrils create the muscle fibers, which group together as fascicles.

Muscles come in different shapes, like strap-like, spindle-like, and feathered, affecting their power and range of motion.

Different muscles have different sizes to produce varying levels of force.

The study of how muscles function and their structure.

The building blocks of the body in lean animals; they are responsible for movement and posture.

The complex relationship between the skeleton, which provides structure, and the muscles, which provide force, creates a wide range of movements in animals.

The branch of anatomy that focuses on the structure and function of muscles, exploring how they are organized and named.

The study of how muscles work together in groups to perform various actions.

Muscles work in unison to maintain stability and enable actions such as walking, reaching, chewing, and very fine movements.

The number of different muscles in humans and domesticated mammals, highlighting the complexity of muscle function.

Each muscle plays a part in maintaining posture and executing different actions, ranging from large movements to fine motor skills.

The smallest contractile unit in muscles, responsible for muscle contraction.

Bundles of muscle filaments, forming the basic structure of muscles.

Groups of muscle fibers bundled together, forming the visible muscle tissue.

A muscle with long, straight fibers running parallel to the muscle's axis.

A muscle with a thick middle section and tapered ends, resembling a spindle.

A muscle with fibers that attach to a central tendon at an angle, resembling a feather.

The fixed end of a muscle, typically closer to the center of the body.

The moving end of a muscle, typically further away from the center of the body.

Muscles have names derived from Latin and Greek, often referring to their position, size, number, and/or function. For example, "gluteus maximus" indicates the largest buttock muscle.

Muscle names often describe their action (e.g., "extensor pollicis longus" extends the thumb) and location (e.g., "pollicis" refers to the thumb).

Some muscle names are based on anatomical positions (e.g., "vastus lateralis" - lateral thigh muscle) and others have historical origins, like "sartorius" which refers to a tailor's position.

Muscles that help maintain posture are arranged in layers in the axial skeleton.

Many muscles cooperate to create complex movements, such as walking.

A primary mover muscle that directly performs a specific action. Example: The biceps brachii is the agonist in a bicep curl, contracting to bend the elbow.

A muscle that opposes the action of the agonist, acting as a counterbalance. Example: The triceps brachii opposes the biceps brachii, extending the elbow.

A muscle that stabilizes a joint, preventing unwanted movement and supporting the agonist. Example: The deltoid muscle stabilizes the shoulder during a bicep curl.

A muscle that assists the agonist, performing a similar action to increase the overall strength. Example: muscles in the forearm assist the biceps brachii in a bicep curl.

Muscle contraction where the muscle lengthens while generating force. Example: Slowly lowering a weight.

Muscle contraction where the muscle shortens while generating force. Example: Lifting a weight.

Refers to the number of origins or bellies a muscle has. Biceps (two heads), triceps (three), quadriceps (four).

Describes a muscle's position relative to other structures. Superficialis (surface), profundus (deep), externus/externi (external), internus/interni (internal).

Indicates a muscle's attachment points. Sternocleidomastoid (sternum & clavicle to mastoid), coracobrachialis (coracoid process to arm).

Indicates a muscle's position relative to body regions: anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, superior, inferior, supra-, infra-, interosseus.

Refers to regions of the body where a muscle is located. Dorsi (back), abdominis (abdomen), pectoralis (chest), brachii (arm), femoris (thigh), etc.