General Classification Of Muscles

Question 1

What is an insertion?

Answer 1

Where the movable end of a muscle during contraction attaches to another structure.

Question 2

What are agonists (prime movers)?

Answer 2

Muscle whose contraction is chiefly responsible for producing a particular movement. E.g. Biceps branchii

Question 3

What is an antagonist?

Answer 3

Muscle whose action opposes that of a particular agonist. E.g. Triceps branchii is an antagonist of the biceps branchii, vice versa.

Question 4

What is a synergist?

Answer 4

Helps a larger agonist work efficiently when it contracts. Provide additional pull near insertion or may stabilize the point of origin. E.g. Brachioradialis muscle

Question 5

What is an origin?

Answer 5

Where the fixed end of a muscle during contraction attaches. Usually a bone but may be a connective tissue sheath or band.