Anatomy and Physiology: Muscles and Nerves Flashcards
moving a limb away from the center of the body
abduction
a neurotransmitter widely found in body tissues; it primary function is to mediate synaptic activity of the nervous system and skeletal muscles
acetylcholine (ACh)
moving a limb toward the center of the body
adduction
the flaring cartilaginous expansion on each side of the nares
ala
something that opposes the action of another
antagonist
front
anterior
strong, thick, and flat connective tissue that serves as fascia to bind muscles together or as tendon to attach muscle to bone
aponeurosis
the muscle of the upper arm; its name means “two heads” because it originates from two heads attached to the scapula and the humerus
biceps brachii
important muscle for the arm’s ability to flex at the elbow
brachialis
pertaining to the heart
cardiac
movement of a limb or extremity in which the distal end describes a circle while the proximal end remains fixed
circumduction
the ability to transmit sound, heat, light, or energy
conductivity
away from, or farthest from, a point of origin or the midline or center
distal
upward or backward flexion of a body part
dorsiflexion
the ability to change length, size, and shape, and then returning to the original form; both muscle and skin have this property
elasticity
the connective tissue sheath that surrounds skeletal muscle
epimysium
a set of three muscles that run along either side of the spinal column
erector spinae
turning outward or inside out, as in turning the foot outward at the ankle
eversion
the property of a cell that enables it to react to a stimulus
excitibility
moving a joint in such a way as to increase the angle of the joint
extension
a thin long muscle that runs the length of the side of the tibialis anterior muscle
extensor digitorium longus
muscles responsible for the movement of the vertebrae and rotation of the torso
external obliques
a fibrous connective membrane that covers, supports and separates muscles; varies in thickness and density and in the amounts of fat, collagenous fiber, elastic fiber, and tissue fluid it contains
fascia
a movement allowed by certain joints that decreases the angle between two adjoining bones, such as bending the elbow
flexion
a fold of mucous membrane that connects two parts, as between the lips and the gums, one being more or less moveable; aka frenum
frenulum
the muscles that form the exterior contours of the buttocks
gluteal muscles
any of the three muscles in the posterior thigh
hamstring
moving a joint to a position beyond its normal limits of extension
hyperextension
situated below or lower than a given point of reference
inferior
the distribution or supply of nerves or nerve impulses in a particular body part
innervation
muscles situated between the ribs
intercostal muscles
the middle layer of abdominal muscles
internal obliques
turning inward, as in turning the soles of the feet toward each other
inversion
to the side of, or on the side
lateral
a strong fibrous connective tissue that connects bone to bone
ligament
another term for muscle cells
muscle fibers
a thick layer of muscle fibers that forms the bulk of the heart wall
myocardium
threadlike structures found in striated muscle that are responsible for its contractile properties
myofilaments
nostril
nare
a region surrounding the point of contact between two neurons, across which nerve impulses are transmitted
neuromuscular junction
chemical that modifies or causes the transmission of nerve impulses across synapses to act on or inhibit a target cell
neurotransmitter
a special movement of the hand in which the thumb is touched to the finger tips
opposition
pertaining to the eyelids
palpebral
the three muscles that make up the calf of the leg- the tertius perneus, peroneous longus, and peroneus brevis; also called peroneal muscle group
peroneal (fibularis) muscles
back
posterior
rotation of the forearm that allows the palm to face downward, or slight inward rotation of the foot while walking
pronation
situated toward the point of origin or attachment, as in a tendon or bone
proximal
a large extensor muscle consisting of four parts that covers the front and sides of the femur; functions to extend the leg
quadriceps
the outermost layer of the abdominal muscle
rectus abdominis
turning on an axis, as in ball-and-socket joints
rotation
anything that excites or incites an organ or other part to function, become active, or respond
stimulus
pertaining to the surface; being at, on or near the surface
superficial
rotation of the arm palm upward
supination
the transmission of nerve impulses across a synaptic gap
synapse
has the same definition of neuromusclular junction
synaptic gap
bands of strong fibrous connective tissue that attach muscle to bone
tendons
a muscle vital to dorsifelxion of the foot
tibialis anterior
lying or extending across, or in a cross direction
transverse
the deepest of the abdominal muscles, lying under the internal obliques
transverse abdominals
muscle that can move each side independently
bifurcated muscle
network that secretes and drains tears
lacrimal apparatus
portion of the orbicularis oculi that encircles the eye
orbital
muscles that contract to close an orfice
sphincter muscle
