Neuromuscular System

Question 1

What are the buttocks muscles and their functions?

Answer 1

• Gluteus Medius - hip stabilisation and abduction of the thigh
• Gluteus maximus - extension and external rotation of the thigh

Question 2

What are the quadricep muscles and their functions?

Answer 2

• Rectus femoris muscle and vastus lateralis - extending the knee and helping with movement such as running and walking
• Vastus medialis and vastus intermedius

Question 3

What are the hamstring muscles?

Answer 3

• Biceps femoris
• Semitendinosus muscle
• Semimembranous muscle

Question 4

What are the calf muscles and their functions?

Answer 4

• Tibialis anterior - dorsi flexing the foot
• Gastrocnemius, soleus, achilles tendon - plantar flexing the foot

Question 5

What are the upper arm muscles and their functions?

Answer 5

• Bicep brachii - flexion and supination of the forearm
• Triceps brachii - extension of the forearm

Question 6

What are the shoulder muscles and their function?

Answer 6

• Trapezius - stabilise and move the scapula
• Deltoid - abduction of the upper arm

Question 7

What are the abdominal muscles and their functions?

Answer 7

• External oblique - movement of trunk, spine and core
• Rectus Abdominis - move the body about the pelvis

Question 8

What is an action potential?

Answer 8

• Rise and subsequent fall in voltage across the membrane of a cell
• All skeletal muscle contractions occur as a result of action potentials originating in the brain

Question 9

What are the first 4 steps of the excitation-contraction process?

Answer 9

1. Brain initiates AP in the upper neurons of the primary motor cortex
2. AP travels through somatic NS to motor neurons
3. AP is collected together in the dendrite and travels down the motor axon
4. AP splits between muscle fibre nerves so that multiple muscle fibres can contract at the same time