Questions and Answers
What is the role of agonist muscles?
What is the function of synergists muscles?
Stabilizes joints to help agonists function effectively.
What do fixators do?
Stabilize the origin of the agonist and the joint that the origin spans.
What are antagonists?
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What is the function of the masseter and temporalis muscles?
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What action does the digastric muscle perform?
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Which muscle flexes and laterally rotates the head?
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What is the primary role of the erector spinae?
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Which muscle group is responsible for extending the leg?
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Which muscle is the prime mover of dorsiflexion?
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What do gastrocnemius and soleus muscles do?
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Match the following muscles with their functions:
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Study Notes
Muscle Functions
- Agonist Muscles: Known as prime movers; provide the main force for movement.
- Synergist Muscles: Stabilize joints to enhance agonist functionality during movement.
- Fixator Muscles: Stabilize the agonist's origin and the spanning joint to optimize agonist performance.
- Antagonist Muscles: Oppose the action of agonists, playing a crucial role in controlled movement.
Key Muscles and Their Actions
- Masseter & Temporalis: Responsible for closing the jaw.
- Digastric: Opens the mouth, depressing the mandible.
- Sternocleidomastoid: Flexes and laterally rotates the head.
- Splenius: Extends the head.
- External Intercostals: Elevate the rib cage by pulling ribs together.
- Internal Intercostals: Draw ribs together, depressing the rib cage.
Core and Trunk Musculature
- Erector Spinae: Maintains an erect spine.
- External & Internal Obliques: Flex and compress the abdominal wall; assist in trunk rotation and lateral flexion.
- Transversus Abdominis: Compresses abdominal contents.
- Rectus Abdominis: Flexes and rotates the lumbar region of the vertebral column.
Shoulder and Arm Muscles
- Pectoralis Minor: Protracts and downwardly rotates the scapula when ribs are fixed.
- Serratus Anterior: Rotates the scapula upward.
- Trapezius & Rhomboids: Stabilize, elevate, retract, and rotate the scapula.
- Pectoralis Major: Prime mover for arm flexion; medially rotates and adducts the arm.
- Deltoid: Major abductor of the arm.
- Latissimus Dorsi: Prime mover for arm extension; assists in adduction and medial rotation.
- Teres Major: Extends, medially rotates, and adducts the arm.
- Triceps Brachii: Powerful extensor of the forearm.
- Biceps Brachii & Brachialis: Flex and supinate the forearm.
- Brachioradialis: Acts as a synergist in forearm flexion.
Thigh and Leg Musculature
- Iliopsoas Group: Key player in thigh flexion and trunk flexion; aids in lateral flexion of the vertebral column.
- Sartorius: Flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates the thigh; contributes to leg flexion.
- Adductor Group (Longus, Brevis, Magnus): Functions in adducting, flexing, and medially rotating the thigh.
- Quadriceps Femoris Group: Primarily extends the leg; also flexes the thigh and stabilizes the knee.
- Tensor Fascia Latae: Stabilizes trunk on the thigh and tightens the iliotibial tract.
- Gluteus Maximus: Major extensor of the thigh.
- Gluteus Medius & Minimus: Responsible for thigh abduction and medial rotation.
- Hamstring Group (Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus): Extends the thigh and flexes the leg.
Lower Leg and Foot Muscles
- Tibialis Anterior: Main mover of dorsiflexion of the foot.
- Gastrocnemius & Soleus: Primary muscles for plantar flexion of the foot.
- Popliteus: Assists in flexing and medially rotating the leg to unlock the knee from extension.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of muscle function with these flashcards focused on prime movers and their roles. Learn about agonists, synergists, and fixators, and understand how they contribute to movement in the body. Perfect for students of kinesiology or physical education.
