Muscle names are based on many characteristics. The location of a muscle in the body is important. Some muscles are named based on their size and location, such as the gluteal muscles of the buttocks. Other muscle names can indicate the location in the body or bones with which the muscle is associated, such as the tibialis anterior. The shapes of some muscles are distinctive; for example, the direction of the muscle fibers is used to describe muscles of the body midline. The origin and/or insertion can also be features used to name a muscle; examples are the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and the pectoralis major.
abductor
moves the bone away from the midline
adductor
moves the bone toward the midline
bi
two
brevis
short
extensor
muscle that increases the angle at the joint
flexor
muscle that decreases the angle at the joint
lateralis
to the outside
longus
long
maximus
largest
medialis
to the inside
medius
medium
minimus
smallest
oblique
at an angle
rectus
straight
tri
three
1. The location of a muscle’s insertion and origin can determine ________.
A) action
B) the force of contraction
C) muscle name
D) the load a muscle can carry
A
2. Where is the temporalis muscle located?
A) on the forehead
B) in the neck
C) on the side of the head
D) on the chin
C
3. Which muscle name does not make sense?
A) extensor digitorum
B) gluteus minimus
C) biceps femoris
D) extensor minimus longus
D
4. Which of the following terms would be used in the name of a muscle that moves the leg away from the body?
A) flexor
B) adductor
C) extensor
D) abductor
C
1. Describe the different criteria that contribute to how skeletal muscles are named.
In anatomy and physiology, many word roots are Latin or Greek. Portions, or roots, of the word give us clues about the function, shape, action, or location of a muscle.