Cat Dissection Checkpoints 4-5: Location and Function

Question 1

Gluteus Medius

Answer 1

Thick muscle located between the cranial end of the tensor fascia latae and the caudal end of the gluteus maximus

Abducts the thigh. G. medius is larger than g. maximus in cats and other quadripeds, but larger in humans

Question 2

Gluteus Maximus

Answer 2

Thick, short muscle located cranial to the caudofemoralis

Abducts the thigh

Question 3

Caudofemoralis

Answer 3

Thick muscle located immediately cranial to the biceps femoris and extending beneath it

Abducts the thigh and flexes the shank.* Not present in humans*

Question 4

Biceps Femoris

Answer 4

Thick, large muscle dominating the lateral surface of the thigh

Abducts the thigh and flexes the shank. Only one head in cats, but is made up of two heads in humans

Question 5

Vastus Lateralis

Answer 5

Large, flat muscle lateral to the rectus femoris

Extension of the shank at the knee joint

Question 6

Tensor Fasciae Latae

Answer 6

Triangle-shaped muscle that covers most of the cranial surface of the thigh and borders the sartorius

Extension of the shank

Question 7

Fascia Latae

Answer 7

Prominent fascia

Extension of the shank

Question 8

Sartorius

Answer 8

Flat, thin muscle on the cranial aspect of the medial side of the thigh

Adduction and rotation of the femur; extension of the shank

Question 9

Gracilis

Answer 9

Flat, thin muscle that fills the caudal aspect of the medial thigh

Adducts and retracts the thigh

Question 10

Semitendinosus

Answer 10

Long muscle occupying the caudal border of the thigh; visible from both the medial and lateral aspects

Flexion of the shank

Question 11

Vastus Medialis

Answer 11

The most medial of the four muscles of the quadriceps complex

Extension of the shank at the knee joint

Question 12

Rectus Femoris

Answer 12

Large, flat muscle lateral to the rectus femoris

Extension of the shank at the knee joint

Question 13

Adductor Femoris

Answer 13

Deep muscle of the lateral thigh that is cranial to the semimembranosus, with which it is partially covered

Adduction of the thigh. Called the adductor magnus in the human

Question 14

Tenuissimus

Answer 14

Extremely thin, narrow muscle immediately deep to the biceps femoris, often adhering to it

Synergist with biceps femoris for abduction of the thigh and flexion of the shank. Not present in humans

Question 15

Gastrocnemius

Answer 15

Largest muscle on the dorsal side of the shank, forms most of the bulk commonly known as the calf muscle

Extension of the pes and flexion of the antebrachium

Question 16

Soleus

Answer 16

Flat muscle located deep to the plantaris

Synergist with gastrocnemius in extension of the pes

Question 17

Extensor Digitorum Longus

Answer 17

Long, prominent muscle located deep to the tibialis cranialis

Extension of the digits

Question 18

Peroneus Longus

Answer 18

Most superficial of the peroneus muscles on the lateral side of the shank

Flexion of the pes

Question 19

Tibialis Cranialis

Answer 19

Large, flat muscle dominating the craniolateral aspect of the tibia

Flexion of the pes