Muscle Root Names

Question 1

What does ‘Rectus’ mean in anatomical terms?

Answer 1

Parallel to the midline

Used to describe muscles that run straight along the body’s midline.

Question 2

Define ‘Transverse’ in anatomical context.

Answer 2

Perpendicular to the midline

Refers to structures that cross at right angles to the midline.

Question 3

What does ‘Oblique’ refer to?

Answer 3

Diagonal to the midline

Indicates muscles or structures that are angled relative to the midline.

Question 4

What is the meaning of ‘Maximus’?

Answer 4

Largest

Typically used in muscle names to indicate the largest muscle in a group.

Question 5

What does ‘Minimus’ signify?

Answer 5

Smallest

Often used to describe the smallest muscle in a group.

Question 6

Define ‘Longus’.

Answer 6

Longest

Used to describe the longest muscle in a particular area.

Question 7

What does ‘Brevis’ mean?

Answer 7

Shortest

Refers to the shortest muscle in its group.

Question 8

What does ‘Latissimus’ indicate?

Answer 8

Widgest

Commonly used in muscle names to denote a wide muscle.

Question 9

What does ‘Magnus’ refer to?

Answer 9

Large

Describes muscles that are larger than others in the same area.

Question 10

What does ‘Major’ signify in anatomical terms?

Answer 10

Larger

Used to indicate a muscle that is larger than another similar muscle.

Question 11

Define ‘Minor’.

Answer 11

Smaller

Indicates a muscle that is smaller in size compared to others.

Question 12

What does ‘Vastus’ mean?

Answer 12

Great

Often used to describe large muscles, especially in the thigh.

Question 13

What does ‘Deltoid’ describe?

Answer 13

Triangular

Refers to the shape of the deltoid muscle in the shoulder.

Question 14

What does ‘Trapezius’ refer to?

Answer 14

Trapezoidal

Named for its trapezoid shape, this muscle is located in the upper back.

Question 15

Define ‘Serratus’.

Answer 15

Saw-toothed

Refers to the serrated appearance of the muscle.

Question 16

What does ‘Rhomboideus’ mean?

Answer 16

Diamond-shaped

Describes the shape of the rhomboid muscles located in the upper back.

Question 17

What does ‘Orbicularis’ refer to?

Answer 17

Circular

Indicates a muscle that encircles an opening.

Question 18

Define ‘Pectinate’.

Answer 18

Comb-like

Refers to a muscle or structure that resembles the teeth of a comb.

Question 19

What does ‘Piriformis’ signify?

Answer 19

Pear-shaped

Refers to the shape of the piriformis muscle in the hip region.

Question 20

What does ‘Platys’ mean?

Answer 20

Flat

Indicates a muscle that is flat in structure.

Question 21

Define ‘Quadratus’.

Answer 21

Square

Refers to a muscle that has a square shape.

Question 22

What does ‘Gracilis’ refer to?

Answer 22

Slender

Describes a long and thin muscle, often in the thigh.

Question 23

What is the function of a ‘Flexor’ muscle?

Answer 23

Decrease joint angle

Flexors are muscles that decrease the angle between body parts.

Question 24

What does an ‘Extensor’ muscle do?

Answer 24

Increase joint angle

Extensors work to increase the angle between body parts.

Question 25

What is the role of an 'Abductor' muscle?

Answer 25

Move bone away from the midline ## Footnote Abductors are responsible for moving limbs away from the body's midline.

Question 26

Define the term 'Adductor'.

Answer 26

Movement toward midline ## Footnote Adductors pull body parts toward the midline.

Question 27

What does a 'Levator' muscle do?

Answer 27

Produces superior movement ## Footnote Levators are involved in raising body parts.

Question 28

What is the function of a 'Depressor' muscle?

Answer 28

Produces inferior movement ## Footnote Depressors lower body parts.

Question 29

What does a 'Pronator' muscle do?

Answer 29

Turn palm medially so palm faces posteriorly ## Footnote Pronators rotate the forearm to face downwards.

Question 30

Define the role of a 'Supinator'.

Answer 30

Turn palm laterally so palm faces anteriorly ## Footnote Supinators rotate the forearm to face upwards.

Question 31

What is a 'Sphincter' muscle?

Answer 31

Decrease the size of an opening ## Footnote Sphincters control the opening and closing of passages.

Question 32

What does a 'Tensor' muscle do?

Answer 32

Make body part rigid ## Footnote Tensors help stabilize or tense body parts.

Question 33

What is a 'Rotator' muscle?

Answer 33

Move bone around longitudinal axis ## Footnote Rotators facilitate rotation around a central axis.

Question 34

What does 'Biceps' indicate?

Answer 34

2 origins ## Footnote Refers to muscles that have two points of origin.

Question 35

Define 'Triceps'.

Answer 35

3 origins ## Footnote Indicates muscles with three points of origin.

Question 36

What does 'Quadriceps' refer to?

Answer 36

4 origins ## Footnote Refers to muscles that have four points of origin.

Question 37

What does 'Superficialis' mean?

Answer 37

(most) Superficial ## Footnote Refers to muscles that are closest to the surface of the body.

Question 38

What is the meaning of 'Profundus'?

Answer 38

Deeper ## Footnote Indicates muscles that are located deeper within the body.