Muscle Physiology

Question 1

Gastrocnemius

Answer 1

Adducts the foot and flexes the leg.

Question 2

Gluteus Maximus

Answer 2

Largest and most posterior of the muscles.

Question 3

Semitendinosus

Answer 3

Flexes the knee and can also extend the thigh at the hip.

Question 4

Pronator Teres

Answer 4

Anatagonistic to the supinator.

Question 5

Supinator

Answer 5

Supinates the arm.

Question 6

Brachioradialis

Answer 6

Flex the forearm.

Question 7

Flexor carpi ulnaris

Answer 7

Flexes and adducts the wrist.

Question 8

Flexor carpi radialis

Answer 8

Flexes the wrist and abducts the palm of the hand.

Question 9

Latissimus dorsi

Answer 9

Acts antagonistically to the pectoralis major. Extends the arm.

Question 10

Rectus femoris

Answer 10

A superficial thigh muscle that extends the knee and flexes the thigh at the hip joint.

Question 11

Sartorius

Answer 11

One of the body’s longest muscles.

Question 12

Pectineus

Answer 12

A flat muscle that adducts and flexes the thigh.

Question 13

Biceps brachii

Answer 13

A main flexor of the forearm.

Question 14

Teres major

Answer 14

Extends the arm.

Question 15

Subscapularis

Answer 15

Rotates the arm in the medial direction.

Question 16

Internal intercostals

Answer 16

Decreases the size of the thorax during forced expiration.

Question 17

External intercostals

Answer 17

Elevates the ribs during inspiration.

Question 18

Pectoralis minor

Answer 18

Thin muscle close to the pectoralis major.

Question 19

Deltoid

Answer 19

Prime abductor of the arm.

Question 20

Pectoralis major

Answer 20

Flexes the arm and adducts it.

Question 21

Transversus abdominis

Answer 21

Compresses the abdominal wall.

Question 22

Rectus adbominis

Answer 22

Depresses the ribs and permits flexion at the waistline.

Question 23

Trapezius

Answer 23

Elevates the clavicle and scapula to extend the head.

Question 24

Scalene muscle

Answer 24

Aids in breathing.

Question 25

Temporalis

Answer 25

Important muscle in mastication (chewing) as it elevates the mandible when the lower jaw moves.

Question 26

Sternocleidomastoid

Answer 26

Flexes and bends the neck towards the shoulder.

Question 27

Masseter

Answer 27

Elevates the mandible.

Question 28

Nasalis

Answer 28

Elevates the corners of the nostrils.

Question 29

Levator palpebrae superioris

Answer 29

Operates when one raises the upper eyelid.

Question 30

Orbicularis oculi

Answer 30

Allows one to close the eyelid and to blink, squint, and perform other movements to protect the eye.

Question 31

Mentalis

Answer 31

When one pouts, the skin of the chin is elevated and the lower lip is protruded.

Question 32

Buccinator

Answer 32

Compresses the cheeks, like when playing a trumpet or blowing air. During chewing it moves the food back across the teeth inside the cheeks. (It buccinates)

Question 33

Depressor labii inferioris

Answer 33

Depresses/lowers the lower lip.

Question 34

Levator labii superioris

Answer 34

Raises the upper lip and is innervated by the facial nerve.

Question 35

Obicularis oris

Answer 35

Protrudes the lips and compresses them against the teeth, while shaping them during speech.