Muscle/Movement Terminology

Question 1

Origin (Os)

Answer 1

Less moveable, proximal attachment of muscle.

Question 2

Insertion (Is)

Answer 2

More moveable, distal attachment of muscle.

Question 3

Action (As)

Answer 3

Movement(s) produced by a particular muscle.

Question 4

Unilateral

Answer 4

One side

Question 5

Bilateral

Answer 5

Both sides

Question 6

Contralateral

Answer 6

On the opposite side.

Question 7

Ipsilateral

Answer 7

On the same side.

Question 8

Agonist

Answer 8

Muscle responsible for a particular action (a.k.a. prime mover).

Question 9

Antagonist

Answer 9

Muscle that opposes agonist.

Question 10

Syngergist

Answer 10

Muscle(s) that assist(s) agonist.

Question 11

Fixator

Answer 11

Muscles(s) that prevent(s) unwanted movement at a joint.

Question 12

Stabilizer

Answer 12

Muscle(s) that directly stabilizes a joint.

Question 13

Tendon

Answer 13

Connects muscle to bone

Question 14

Aponeurosis

Answer 14

Flat, broad tendon

Question 15

Flexion

Answer 15

Decreasing a joint angle (from 180°)

Question 16

Extension

Answer 16

Increasing a joint angle (back to 180°)

Question 17

Lateral flexion

Answer 17

Flexion in the frontal plane (spine)

Question 18

Abduction

Answer 18

Movement away from the midline.

Question 19

Adduction

Answer 19

Movement toward the midline.

Question 20

Protraction

Answer 20

Anterior movement of a body part (e.g. scapula)

Question 21

Retraction

Answer 21

Posterior movement of a body part (e.g. scapula)

Question 22

Depression

Answer 22

Movement of a body part inferiorly/caudally (e.g. scapula)

Question 23

Elevation

Answer 23

Movement of a body part superiorly/crainally (e.g. scapula)

Question 24

Rotation

Answer 24

Movement in the transverse plane

Question 25

Supination

Answer 25

Rotational movement of forearm to palms UP

Question 26

Pronation

Answer 26

Rotational movement of forearm to palms DOWN

Question 27

Circumduction

Answer 27

Circular movement of appendage where distal end creates a circle.

Question 28

Inversion

Answer 28

Rotating soles of feet in/medially

Question 29

Eversion

Answer 29

Rotating soles of feet out/laterally

Question 30

Dorsiflexion

Answer 30

Ankle movement bringing “toes up”

Question 31

Plantar flexion

Answer 31

Ankle movement bringing “toes down”

Question 32

Internal/Medial Rotation

Answer 32

Rotational movement toward anterior surface of body (of appendage)

Question 33

External/Lateral Rotation

Answer 33

Rotational movement of toward posterior surface of body (of appendage)