Origin and Insertion, Agonist and Antagonist

Question 1

Describe what is meant by the terms origin and insertion?

Answer 1

• Origin - The point at which the muscle joins the stationary bone.
• Insertion - The point where the muscles tendon joins the moving bone.
• For every muscle group that pulls a bone one direction, there is a matching muscle that pulls in the reverse direction.
• E.g., Hamstrings and quadriceps

Question 2

What is meant by agonist and antagonist pairings?

Answer 2

• The muscle that primarily produced the movement is the prime mover or agonist.
• The muscle of the opposite action is called the antagonist.
• Whilst the prime mover (agonist) is contracting to produce movement, the antagonist is progressively relaxing.