AnatomyLesson 1 of 2 in the course The Muscular System

Skeletal Muscle Roles, Fascicle Arrangements, and Lever Systems

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Skeletal muscles create movement by developing tension and transferring it through tendons to bones. This lesson explains how muscles attach to the skeleton, cooperate or oppose one another, and support movement beyond moving bones.

Tendons are strong bands of dense, regular connective tissue that connect muscles to bones. When a skeletal muscle contracts, its fibers develop tension, which is transmitted to the tendon and then to the attached bone. To move a bone at a joint, a muscle generally spans the joint and attaches to a relatively stable part as well as to the part that moves.

All flashcards

What are a muscle's origin and insertion?
The origin attaches to the relatively stabilized bone for an action; the insertion attaches to the bone that moves.
What is an agonist?
The agonist, or prime mover, is the muscle chiefly responsible for producing a particular movement.
How does a synergist differ from a fixator?
A synergist assists the prime mover. A fixator is a stabilizing synergist that steadies an attachment.
What roles can antagonists play?
Antagonists oppose an action, help maintain posture, and can regulate or slow movement.
What are the four parts of a musculoskeletal lever system?
A bone is the lever, a joint the fulcrum, muscle force the effort, and resistance the load.

Quiz questions

  1. In a second-class lever, which component lies between the fulcrum and the effort?Answer: The load
  2. How are fascicles arranged in a pennate muscle?Answer: They attach obliquely to a tendon running through the muscle.
  3. What distinguishes a convergent muscle?Answer: Its fascicles spread over a broad area and meet at a common attachment.
  4. How can an antagonist help control a rapid limb movement?Answer: It can slow the limb so the movement stops accurately.
  5. What happens when circular muscles around an opening contract?Answer: The opening narrows or closes.

Based on Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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