Lecture Ten : Muscle III - Form and Actions at Joints

13 important questions on Lecture Ten : Muscle III - Form and Actions at Joints

Explain the 3 factors that affect muscle contraction/function?

  1. Length of muscle fibres : longer fibres can contract more (greater range of movement). Fibres can shorten up to 50% of their resting length during contraction.
  2. Number of muscle fibres : By increasing the number of muscle fibres, you increase the cross-sectional area of the muscle which is directly proportional to tension (can produce more contractile force).
  3. Arrangement of fibres : parallel or pennate(oblique) to the line of pull.

- PARALLEL : Increased shortening but can fit fever fibres in a  given space (lower contractile force produced).
- PENNATE : Decreased shortening but can fit more fibres in a given space (higher contractile force produced).

Explain the different anatomical levers ?

A muscle can be thought of as part of a lever system :
  • Lever = Bone
  • Pivot/fulcrum = Joint
  • Load = External or Internal force
  • Pulling force = from muscle

Explain the 3 different Muscle Actions ?

  1. Concentric : Develops tension, muscle shortens and changes joint position.
  2. Isometric : Develops tension, but no change in muscle length or joint position.
  3. Eccentric : Develops tension, muscle lengthens and changes in joint position.
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Explain the 4 different types of Muscle Roles and give an example for each ?

1. Agonist : contracts concentrically

          E.g Biceps branchii when lifting a weight.
2. Antagonist : Contracts eccentrically

          E.g Triceps branchii when lifting a weight.
3. Stabilizer : Contracts isometrically
          E.g Biceps branchii while holding a weight (not                      moving).
4. Neutralizer : Eliminates unwanted movement of another muscle.

Describe What a Deltoid muscle is ?

  • Location : Lateral side of the shoulder joint.
  • Origin : Pectoral girdle (scapula and clavicle).
  • Insertion : Humerus.
  • Concentric action/s :

- Anterior belly : Flexion at the shoulder.
- Posterior belly : Extension of the shoulder.
- Medial belly : Abduction of the shoulder.

Describe What are Biceps branchii muscles ?

  • Location : Anterior of the radioulnar and elbow joints.
  • Origin : Scaula.
  • Insertion : Radial tuberosity.
  • Concentric action/s : Flexion at the elbow and supination at the radioulnar joint.

Describe What are Triceps branchii muscles ?

  • Location : Posterior of the elbow joint.
  • Origin : Scapula and humerus.
  • Insertion : Ulna.
  • Concentric action/s : Extension at the elbow.

Describe What is a Illiopsoas muscle ?

  • Location : Anterior of the hip joint.
  • Origin : T12 - L5 vertebrae and anterior surface of the pelvis.
  • Insertion : Femur.
  • Concentric action/s : Flexion at the hip.

Explain What the Gluteus Maximus muscles are ?

  • Location : Posterior to the hip joint.
  • Origin : Pelvis and sacrum.
  • Insertion : Iliotibial band and femur.
  • Concentric action/s : Extension at the hip.

Explain What is a Quadriceps femoris muscle ?

The quadriceps femoris consists of 4 muscles, they are : Rectus femoris, Vastus medialis, Vastus intermedius and Vastus lateralis.
  • Location :
- RF : Anterior of the hip and knee joint.
- VM, VI & VL : Anterior to the knee joint.
  • Origin :
- RF : Pelvis.
- VM, VI & VL : Femur.
  • Insertion : Tibia and the patella tendon.
  • Concentric action/s :

- RF : Flexion of the hip and extension of the knee.
- VM , VI & VL : Extension of the knee.

Describe the Hamstrings Muscle Group ?

Consists of 3 muscles, they are : Biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus.
  • Location : Posterior of the hip and knee joint.
  • Origin : Pelvis and femur.
  • Insertion : Tibia and Fibula.
  • Concentric action/s : Extension of the hip, flexion of the knee and rotation at the knee (when flexed).

Describe the Tibialis Anterior Muscle ?

  • Location : Anterior of the ankle joint.
  • Origin : Tibia.
  • Insertion : Medial tarsals.
  • Concentric action/s : Dorsiflexion.

Describe the Triceps Surae Muscle ?

Consists of 2 muscles, they are : Gastrocnemius and Soleus.
  • Location :
- G : Posterior to the ankle and knee joint.
- S : Posterior to the ankle joint.
  • Origin :

- G : Femur.
- S : Tibia and Fibula.
  • Insertion : Calcaneus (heel bone) by Achilles tendon.
  • Concentric action/s :

- G : Plantarflexion of the ankle and flexion at the knee.
- S : Plantarflexion at the ankle.

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