11.8: Key Terms

Example and Directions

Words (or words that have the same definition)	The definition is case sensitive	(Optional) Image to display with the definition [Not displayed in Glossary, only in pop-up on pages]	(Optional) Caption for Image	(Optional) External or Internal Link	(Optional) Source for Definition
(Eg. "Genetic, Hereditary, DNA ...")	(Eg. "Relating to genes or heredity")		The infamous double helix	https://bio.libretexts.org/	CC-BY-SA; Delmar Larsen

Glossary Entries

Word(s)	Definition	Image	Caption	Link	Source
abduct	move away from midline in the sagittal plane
abductor	moves the bone away from the midline
abductor digiti minimi	muscle that abducts the little finger
abductor pollicis brevis	muscle that abducts the thumb
abductor pollicis longus	muscle that inserts into the first metacarpal
adductor	moves the bone toward the midline
adductor brevis	muscle that adducts and medially rotates the thigh
adductor longus	muscle that adducts, medially rotates, and flexes the thigh
adductor magnus	muscle with an anterior fascicle that adducts, medially rotates and flexes the thigh, and a posterior fascicle that assists in thigh extension
adductor pollicis	muscle that adducts the thumb
agonist	(also, prime mover) muscle whose contraction is responsible for producing a particular motion
anal triangle	posterior triangle of the perineum that includes the anus
anconeus	small muscle on the lateral posterior elbow that extends the forearm
antagonist	muscle that opposes the action of an agonist
anterior compartment of the arm	(anterior flexor compartment of the arm) the biceps brachii, brachialis, brachioradialis, and their associated blood vessels and nerves
anterior compartment of the forearm	(anterior flexor compartment of the forearm) deep and superficial muscles that originate on the humerus and insert into the hand
anterior compartment of the leg	region that includes muscles that dorsiflex the foot
anterior compartment of the thigh	region that includes muscles that flex the thigh and extend the leg
anterior scalene	a muscle anterior to the middle scalene
appendicular	of the arms and legs
axial	of the trunk and head
belly	bulky central body of a muscle
bi	two
biceps brachii	two-headed muscle that crosses the shoulder and elbow joints to flex the forearm while assisting in supinating it and flexing the arm at the shoulder
biceps femoris	hamstring muscle
bipennate	pennate muscle that has fascicles that are located on both sides of the tendon
brachialis	muscle deep to the biceps brachii that provides power in flexing the forearm.
brachioradialis	muscle that can flex the forearm quickly or help lift a load slowly
brevis	short
buccinator	muscle that compresses the cheek
calcaneal tendon	(also, Achilles tendon) strong tendon that inserts into the calcaneal bone of the ankle
caval opening	opening in the diaphragm that allows the inferior vena cava to pass through; foramen for the vena cava
circular	(also, sphincter) fascicles that are concentrically arranged around an opening
compressor urethrae	deep perineal muscle in females
convergent	fascicles that extend over a broad area and converge on a common attachment site
coracobrachialis	muscle that flexes and adducts the arm
corrugator supercilii	prime mover of the eyebrows
deep anterior compartment	flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum profundus, and their associated blood vessels and nerves
deep posterior compartment of the forearm	(deep posterior extensor compartment of the forearm) the abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis, extensor pollicis longus, extensor indicis, and their associated blood vessels and nerves
deep transverse perineal	deep perineal muscle in males
deglutition	swallowing
deltoid	shoulder muscle that abducts the arm as well as flexes and medially rotates it, and extends and laterally rotates it
diaphragm	skeletal muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and is dome-shaped at rest
digastric	muscle that has anterior and posterior bellies and elevates the hyoid bone and larynx when one swallows; it also depresses the mandible
dorsal group	region that includes the extensor digitorum brevis
dorsal interossei	muscles that abduct and flex the three middle fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints and extend them at the interphalangeal joints
epicranial aponeurosis	(also, galea aponeurosis) flat broad tendon that connects the frontalis and occipitalis
erector spinae group	large muscle mass of the back; primary extensor of the vertebral column
extensor	muscle that increases the angle at the joint
extensor carpi radialis brevis	muscle that extends and abducts the hand at the wrist
extensor carpi ulnaris	muscle that extends and adducts the hand
extensor digiti minimi	muscle that extends the little finger
extensor digitorum	muscle that extends the hand at the wrist and the phalanges
extensor digitorum brevis	muscle that extends the toes
extensor digitorum longus	muscle that is lateral to the tibialis anterior
extensor hallucis longus	muscle that is partly deep to the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus
extensor indicis	muscle that inserts onto the tendon of the extensor digitorum of the index finger
extensor pollicis brevis	muscle that inserts onto the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb
extensor pollicis longus	muscle that inserts onto the base of the distal phalanx of the thumb
extensor radialis longus	muscle that extends and abducts the hand at the wrist
extensor retinaculum	band of connective tissue that extends over the dorsal surface of the hand
external intercostal	superficial intercostal muscles that raise the rib cage
external oblique	superficial abdominal muscle with fascicles that extend inferiorly and medially
extrinsic eye muscles	originate outside the eye and insert onto the outer surface of the white of the eye, and create eyeball movement
extrinsic muscles of the hand	muscles that move the wrists, hands, and fingers and originate on the arm
fascicle	muscle fibers bundled by perimysium into a unit
femoral triangle	region formed at the junction between the hip and the leg and includes the pectineus, femoral nerve, femoral artery, femoral vein, and deep inguinal lymph nodes
fibularis brevis	(also, peroneus brevis) muscle that plantar flexes the foot at the ankle and everts it at the intertarsal joints
fibularis longus	(also, peroneus longus) muscle that plantar flexes the foot at the ankle and everts it at the intertarsal joints
fibularis tertius	small muscle that is associated with the extensor digitorum longus
fixator	synergist that assists an agonist by preventing or reducing movement at another joint, thereby stabilizing the origin of the agonist
flexion	movement that decreases the angle of a joint
flexor	muscle that decreases the angle at the joint
flexor carpi radialis	muscle that flexes and abducts the hand at the wrist
flexor carpi ulnaris	muscle that flexes and adducts the hand at the wrist
flexor digiti minimi brevis	muscle that flexes the little finger
flexor digitorum longus	muscle that flexes the four small toes
flexor digitorum profundus	muscle that flexes the phalanges of the fingers and the hand at the wrist
flexor digitorum superficialis	muscle that flexes the hand and the digits
flexor hallucis longus	muscle that flexes the big toe
flexor pollicis brevis	muscle that flexes the thumb
flexor pollicis longus	muscle that flexes the distal phalanx of the thumb
flexor retinaculum	band of connective tissue that extends over the palmar surface of the hand
frontalis	front part of the occipitofrontalis muscle
fusiform	muscle that has fascicles that are spindle-shaped to create large bellies
gastrocnemius	most superficial muscle of the calf
genioglossus	muscle that originates on the mandible and allows the tongue to move downward and forward
geniohyoid	muscle that depresses the mandible, and raises and pulls the hyoid bone anteriorly
gluteal group	muscle group that extends, flexes, rotates, adducts, and abducts the femur
gluteus maximus	largest of the gluteus muscles that extends the femur
gluteus medius	muscle deep to the gluteus maximus that abducts the femur at the hip
gluteus minimus	smallest of the gluteal muscles and deep to the gluteus medius
gracilis	muscle that adducts the thigh and flexes the leg at the knee
hamstring group	three long muscles on the back of the leg
hyoglossus	muscle that originates on the hyoid bone to move the tongue downward and flatten it
hypothenar	group of muscles on the medial aspect of the palm
hypothenar eminence	rounded contour of muscle at the base of the little finger
iliacus	muscle that, along with the psoas major, makes up the iliopsoas
iliococcygeus	muscle that makes up the levator ani along with the pubococcygeus
iliocostalis cervicis	muscle of the iliocostalis group associated with the cervical region
iliocostalis group	laterally placed muscles of the erector spinae
iliocostalis lumborum	muscle of the iliocostalis group associated with the lumbar region
iliocostalis thoracis	muscle of the iliocostalis group associated with the thoracic region
iliopsoas group	muscle group consisting of iliacus and psoas major muscles, that flexes the thigh at the hip, rotates it laterally, and flexes the trunk of the body onto the hip
iliotibial tract	muscle that inserts onto the tibia; made up of the gluteus maximus and connective tissues of the tensor fasciae latae
inferior extensor retinaculum	cruciate ligament of the ankle
inferior gemellus	muscle deep to the gluteus maximus on the lateral surface of the thigh that laterally rotates the femur at the hip
infrahyoid muscles	anterior neck muscles that are attached to, and inferior to the hyoid bone
infraspinatus	muscle that laterally rotates the arm
innermost intercostal	the deepest intercostal muscles that draw the ribs together
insertion	end of a skeletal muscle that is attached to the structure (usually a bone) that is moved when the muscle contracts
intercostal muscles	muscles that span the spaces between the ribs
intermediate	group of midpalmar muscles
internal intercostal	muscles the intermediate intercostal muscles that draw the ribs together
internal oblique	flat, intermediate abdominal muscle with fascicles that run perpendicular to those of the external oblique
intrinsic muscles of the hand	muscles that move the wrists, hands, and fingers and originate in the palm
ischiococcygeus	muscle that assists the levator ani and pulls the coccyx anteriorly
lateral compartment of the leg	region that includes the fibularis (peroneus) longus and the fibularis (peroneus) brevis and their associated blood vessels and nerves
lateral pterygoid	muscle that moves the mandible from side to side
lateralis	to the outside
latissimus dorsi	broad, triangular axial muscle located on the inferior part of the back
levator ani	pelvic muscle that resists intra-abdominal pressure and supports the pelvic viscera
linea alba	white, fibrous band that runs along the midline of the trunk
longissimus capitis	muscle of the longissimus group associated with the head region
longissimus cervicis	muscle of the longissimus group associated with the cervical region
longissimus group	intermediately placed muscles of the erector spinae
longissimus thoracis	muscle of the longissimus group associated with the thoracic region
longus	long
lumbrical	muscle that flexes each finger at the metacarpophalangeal joints and extend each finger at the interphalangeal joints
masseter	main muscle for chewing that elevates the mandible to close the mouth
mastication	chewing
maximus	largest
medial compartment of the thigh	a region that includes the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, pectineus, gracilis, and their associated blood vessels and nerves
medial pterygoid	muscle that moves the mandible from side to side
medialis	to the inside
medius	medium
middle scalene	longest scalene muscle, located between the anterior and posterior scalenes
minimus	smallest
multifidus	muscle of the lumbar region that helps extend and laterally flex the vertebral column
multipennate	pennate muscle that has a tendon branching within it
mylohyoid	muscle that lifts the hyoid bone and helps press the tongue to the top of the mouth
oblique	at an angle
obturator externus	muscle deep to the gluteus maximus on the lateral surface of the thigh that laterally rotates the femur at the hip
obturator internus	muscle deep to the gluteus maximus on the lateral surface of the thigh that laterally rotates the femur at the hip
occipitalis	posterior part of the occipitofrontalis muscle
occipitofrontalis	muscle that makes up the scalp with a frontal belly and an occipital belly
omohyoid	muscle that has superior and inferior bellies and depresses the hyoid bone
opponens digiti minimi	muscle that brings the little finger across the palm to meet the thumb
opponens pollicis	muscle that moves the thumb across the palm to meet another finger
orbicularis oculi	circular muscle that closes the eye
orbicularis oris	circular muscle that moves the lips
origin	end of a skeletal muscle that is attached to another structure (usually a bone) in a fixed position
palatoglossus	muscle that originates on the soft palate to elevate the back of the tongue
palmar interossei	muscles that abduct and flex each finger at the metacarpophalangeal joints and extend each finger at the interphalangeal joints
palmaris longus	muscle that provides weak flexion of the hand at the wrist
parallel	fascicles that extend in the same direction as the long axis of the muscle
patellar ligament	extension of the quadriceps tendon below the patella
pectineus	muscle that abducts and flexes the femur at the hip
pectoral girdle	shoulder girdle, made up of the clavicle and scapula
pectoralis major	thick, fan-shaped axial muscle that covers much of the superior thorax
pectoralis minor	muscle that moves the scapula and assists in inhalation
pelvic diaphragm	muscular sheet that comprises the levator ani and the ischiococcygeus
pelvic girdle	hips, a foundation for the lower limb
pennate	fascicles that are arranged differently based on their angles to the tendon
perineum	diamond-shaped region between the pubic symphysis, coccyx, and ischial tuberosities
piriformis	muscle deep to the gluteus maximus on the lateral surface of the thigh that laterally rotates the femur at the hip
plantar aponeurosis	muscle that supports the longitudinal arch of the foot
plantar group	four-layered group of intrinsic foot muscles
plantaris	muscle that runs obliquely between the gastrocnemius and the soleus
popliteal fossa	diamond-shaped space at the back of the knee
popliteus	muscle that flexes the leg at the knee and creates the floor of the popliteal fossa
posterior compartment of the leg	region that includes the superficial gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris, and the deep popliteus, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, and tibialis posterior
posterior compartment of the thigh	region that includes muscles that flex the leg and extend the thigh
posterior scalene	smallest scalene muscle, located posterior to the middle scalene
prime mover	(also, agonist) principle muscle involved in an action
pronator quadratus	pronator that originates on the ulna and inserts on the radius
pronator teres	pronator that originates on the humerus and inserts on the radius
psoas major	muscle that, along with the iliacus, makes up the iliopsoas
pubococcygeus	muscle that makes up the levator ani along with the iliococcygeus
quadratus femoris	muscle deep to the gluteus maximus on the lateral surface of the thigh that laterally rotates the femur at the hip
quadratus lumborum	posterior part of the abdominal wall that helps with posture and stabilization of the body
quadriceps femoris group	four muscles, that extend and stabilize the knee
quadriceps tendon	(also, patellar tendon) tendon common to all four quadriceps muscles, inserts into the patella
rectus	straight
rectus abdominis	long, linear muscle that extends along the middle of the trunk
rectus femoris	quadricep muscle on the anterior aspect of the thigh
rectus sheaths	tissue that makes up the linea alba
retinacula	fibrous bands that sheath the tendons at the wrist
rhomboid major	muscle that attaches the vertebral border of the scapula to the spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae
rhomboid minor	muscle that attaches the vertebral border of the scapula to the spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae
rotator cuff	(also, musculotendinous cuff) the circle of tendons around the shoulder joint
sartorius	band-like muscle that flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates the leg at the hip
scalene muscles	flex, laterally flex, and rotate the head; contribute to deep inhalation
segmental muscle group	interspinales and intertransversarii muscles that bring together the spinous and transverse processes of each consecutive vertebra
semimembranosus	hamstring muscle
semispinalis capitis	transversospinales muscle associated with the head region
semispinalis cervicis	transversospinales muscle associated with the cervical region
semispinalis thoracis	transversospinales muscle associated with the thoracic region
semitendinosus	hamstring muscle
serratus anterior	large and flat muscle that originates on the ribs and inserts onto the scapula
soleus	wide, flat muscle deep to the gastrocnemius
sphincter urethrovaginalis	deep perineal muscle in females
spinalis capitis	muscle of the spinalis group associated with the head region
spinalis cervicis	muscle of the spinalis group associated with the cervical region
spinalis group	medially placed muscles of the erector spinae
spinalis thoracis	muscle of the spinalis group associated with the thoracic region
splenius	posterior neck muscles; includes the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis
splenius capitis	neck muscle that inserts into the head region
splenius cervicis	neck muscle that inserts into the cervical region
sternocleidomastoid	major muscle that laterally flexes and rotates the head
sternohyoid	muscle that depresses the hyoid bone
sternothyroid	muscle that depresses the larynx’s thyroid cartilage
styloglossus	muscle that originates on the styloid bone, and allows upward and backward motion of the tongue
stylohyoid	muscle that elevates the hyoid bone posteriorly
subclavius	muscle that stabilizes the clavicle during movement
subscapularis	muscle that originates on the anterior scapula and medially rotates the arm
superficial anterior compartment of the forearm	flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum superficialis, and their associated blood vessels and nerves
superficial posterior compartment of the forearm	extensor radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, extensor carpi ulnaris, and their associated blood vessels and nerves
superior extensor retinaculum	transverse ligament of the ankle
superior gemellus	muscle deep to the gluteus maximus on the lateral surface of the thigh that laterally rotates the femur at the hip
supinator	muscle that moves the palm and forearm anteriorly
suprahyoid muscles	neck muscles that are superior to the hyoid bone
supraspinatus	muscle that abducts the arm
synergist	muscle whose contraction helps a prime mover in an action
temporalis	muscle that retracts the mandible
tendinous intersections	three transverse bands of collagen fibers that divide the rectus abdominis into segments
tensor fascia lata	muscle that flexes and abducts the thigh
teres major	muscle that extends the arm and assists in adduction and medial rotation of it
teres minor	muscle that laterally rotates and extends the arm
thenar	group of muscles on the lateral aspect of the palm
thenar eminence	rounded contour of muscle at the base of the thumb
thyrohyoid	muscle that depresses the hyoid bone and elevates the larynx’s thyroid cartilage
tibialis anterior	muscle located on the lateral surface of the tibia
tibialis posterior	muscle that plantar flexes and inverts the foot
transversospinales	muscles that originate at the transverse processes and insert at the spinous processes of the vertebrae
transversus abdominis	deep layer of the abdomen that has fascicles arranged transversely around the abdomen
trapezius	muscle that stabilizes the upper part of the back
tri	three
triceps brachii	three-headed muscle that extends the forearm
unipennate	pennate muscle that has fascicles located on one side of the tendon
urogenital triangle	anterior triangle of the perineum that includes the external genitals
vastus intermedius	quadricep muscle that is between the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis and is deep to the rectus femoris
vastus lateralis	quadricep muscle on the lateral aspect of the thigh
vastus medialis	quadricep muscle on the medial aspect of the thigh