ABMP: Anatomy and Physiology (cont. 2)

The Fascial System

Terminology

Adhesiveness - The quality of soft tissue where collagen fibers become "packed down" through increased hydrogen bonding that occurs in response to tissue stress.

Adipose tissue - Fat tissue; refers to tissue made up of mainly fat cells such as the yellow layer of fat beneath the skin.

Blood - The liquid connective tissue that supplies oxygen and other nutrients to the body.

Bone - The body's supportive, hard connective tissue.

Cartilage - The nonvascular, firm connective tissue found on the ends of long bones, the walls of the thorax, the ear, etc.

Cellular exchange - Also known as cellular respiration, this process is the use of oxygen and production of carbon dioxide for ATP energy production in cells.

Chemoreceptors - The receptors that respond to chemical stimuli.

Collagen fiber - A type of fiber, found in the connective tissue matrix, that is composed of collagen protein. It forms the tough, rope-like strands that make up the fibrous content of skin, fascia, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone, blood vessels, and organs.

Connective tissue - The tissue that creates the structural framework of the body, providing support, transport, storage, and protection to organs and cells.

Deep fascia - The tough layer of connective tissue that drapes over muscle and attaches to bony prominences by fusing with superficial layers of bone.

Elastin - A fibrous protein, similar to collagen, that coils and recoils like a spring and accounts for the elasticity of structures such as the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, intestines, tendons, and ligaments.

Elastin fibers - A type of fiber, found in the connective tissue matrix, that is composed of the protein elastin. These long, thin, crosslinked fibers can be stretched to one-and-one-half times their resting length and provide elasticity to tissue.

Endomysium - Connective tissue that surrounds individual muscle fiber.

Epimysium - Connective tissue that surrounds an entire muscle.

Fascia - A type of connective tissue that surrounds and connects all structures of the body in a web-like unit.

Fascial bands - The structural bridges that link the skin, subcutaneous layer, and deeper muscle layers in a continuous network.

Fascial planes - The organization of fascia that allows adjacent structures to slide relative to each other and facilitate movement within the body.

Fascial shortening - The tendency of fascia to maintain a shortened length when held static in one position for a length of time.

Fascial system - A specialized system of the body involving widely distributed connective tissue called fascia that creates the body's supportive network. The superficial layer of fascia is often compared to a knit sweater that wraps the entire body to explain how fascia links all body regions together. Deeper fascia separates individual structures without losing the cohesion between them. For example, it wraps individual muscle fibers, fascicles, and individual muscles and then weaves them to tendons to attach muscle to bone. It provides the underlying supportive structure of blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves, defines the shape of organs, and tethers them in their proper places within the body.

Fascicles - Bundles of muscle fibers surrounded by additional connective tissue; the perimysium.

Fibroblasts - The most abundant cells in connective tissue; they secrete hyaluronic acid and proteins into ground substance to give it viscosity.

Gel state - A state of fascia in which it is dehydrated, shortened, dense, and adhered to surrounding structures.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) - The hydrophilic polysaccharides used by the body as a lubricant and shock absorber.

Ground substance - A fluid produced by fibroblasts that looks like egg white and surrounds all the cells in the body to support cellular metabolism. It provides nutritional support to cells while binding them together and providing a medium through which substances can be exchanged between blood and cells. It also serves as a spacer between collagen fibers to keep them from sticking together.

Hydrogen bonds - The bonds that form between hydrogen and the oxygen radicals on individual protein strands of collagen. Hydrogen bonds give collagen their great strength. However, when soft tissue is placed under stress, or because of aging, collagen can pack down and hydrogen bonding can cause fibers or side-by-side structures to adhere to one another, preventing free movement. Myofascial techniques are believed to break hydrogen bonding to reduce adhesions.

Joint capsule - A fibrous connective tissue sleeve covering the surfaces of bones where they articulate with each other.

Ligaments - Connective tissue that attaches bone to bone.

Mast cells - An immune cell found in areolar connective tissue that releases histamine, a dilator of small blood vessels during inflammation. These cells also play a role in wound healing, defense against certain pathogens, and in allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.

Mechanoreceptors - The sensory receptors that register mechanical pressure.

Myofascia - A term that refers to the interconnected nature of muscle and fascia, where fascia encloses and separates layers of muscle.

Myofascial chains - The meridians or lines of fascia that create connection between adjacent muscle groups.

Myofascial dysfunction - The pain or restriction of movement caused by adhesions within the myofascial system.

Myofibrils - A muscle protein located in the cytoplasm of a muscle fiber.

Nociceptors -

Sensory receptors that detect potentially damaging stimuli, often resulting in the perception of pain.

Perimysium - The thin, connective tissue layer surrounding each fascicle of a muscle.

Periosteum - A dense membrane composed of fibrous connective tissue that closely wraps all bone (except for the articulating surfaces in joints) and serves as the attachment point for ligaments and tendons.

Piezoelectricity - A term that means "pressure electricity" and refers to the ability of living tissue to generate electrical potentials in response to mechanical deformation.

Proprioceptors - Sensory receptors that register position and movement of skeletal muscles and joints.

Reticular fibers - A type of fiber, found in the connective tissue matrix, that is formed from delicate collagen strands crossing over each other to create intricate and extensive networks that support other structures.

Shock absorption - A function of the connective tissue system.

Sol state - State of fascia in which it is well hydrated and elastic, allowing for freedom of movement in the body.

Structural integrity - A function of the connective tissue system.

Superficial fascia - Fascia in the superficial realm of the body; just beneath the skin.

Tendons - Connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Tensegrity - Tensional integrity; the integrity of a structure derived from the balance of tensional properties within it.

Tensile force - The amount of stress a structure can withstand while being stretched before it breaks.

Thixotropy - A phenomenon in which gels become more fluid when they are stirred up and more solid when they are undisturbed. The ground substance in connective tissue, especially fascia, has the unique ability to move between a more fluid sol state and a viscous gel state. The application of massage techniques that lift, twist, compress, vibrate, and stretch the tissue, mechanically stir the ground substance to improve tissue health.

Viscoelasticity - The quality of connective tissue that allows it to be deformed by an outside force and remain deformed for a period of time after deformation occurs. The term is composed of the words viscous (thick, sticky, gummy) and elastic (stretchy, expandable, flexible).

Practice Quiz

1. These delicate collagen strands form networks that support skeletal and smooth muscle cells and nerves, and provide the framework for soft organs like the spleen:

a. reticular fibers

b. elasticity fibers

c. pericardial fibers

d. elastin fibers

2. This type of fascia occurs just below the skin and anchors the skin to underlying structures:

a. deep fascia

b. middle fascia

c. superior fascia

d. superficial fascia

3. One of the three fibers found in the connective tissue matrix is:

a. collagen

b. tendonous

c. epimysial

d. connective

4. Fascia is a type of:

a. muscle

b. connective tissue

c. tendon

d. cardio tissue

5. Your client reports that her entire back feels tight and achy all over and she’s been experiencing headaches. She’s been writing a book and spending long hours sitting in front of a computer. She gets so focused that she ends up losing track of time and doesn’t eat, drink, or move for extensive periods. As you assess the tissues of her back with an effleurage stroke, you notice that they feel hard and resistant to your touch, and it is difficult to distinguish the edges of individual muscles. What does this indicate about the state of the fascia?

a. it is thixotrophic

b. it is in a sol state

c. it is rheopetic

d. it is in a gel state

6. When collagen fibers pack down and hydrogen bonding between fibers increases in response to stress it is called:

a. piezoelectricity

b. viscoelasticity

c. adhesiveness

d. thixotrophy

7. What component in connective tissue, which produces heparin and histamine, is often found along blood vessels?

a. fibroblasts

b. neuro cells

c. plasma cells

d. mast cells

8. One of the three fibers found in the connective tissue matrix is:

a. muscle

b. elastin

c. pericardial

d. tendon

9. One of the primary functions of fascia is to:

a. stimulate lymphatic flow

b. provide structural integrity

c. produce movement at the joints

d. facilitate increased blood circulation

10. The elasticity of skin, blood vessels, and lung tissue is provided by:

a. reticular fibers

b. elasticity fibers

c. octicular fibers

d. elastin fibers

11. When fascia is in a gel state it is more:

a. fluid

b. viscous

c. crystalline

d. solid

12. The most abundant cells in connective tissue are:

a. cardioblasts

b. fibroblasts

c. neuroblasts

d. myoblasts

13. The phenomenon in which gels become more fluid when they are stirred up and more solid when they are undisturbed is:

a. thixotrophy

b. piezoelectricity

c. adhesiveness

d. viscoelasticity

14. One of the three fibers found in the connective tissue matrix is:

a. pericardial

b. octicular

c. reticular

d. connective

15. The connective tissue matrix of ground substance and fibers is composed predominantly of:

a. blood

b. myofibrials

c. plasma

d. fibroblasts

16. The ability of tissue to generate electrical potentials in response to mechanical deformation is:

a. piezoelectricity

b. thixotrophy

c. adhesiveness

d. viscoelasticity

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

Practice Quiz Answer Key

1. A

2. D

3. A

4. B

5. D

6. C

7. D

8. B

9. B

10. D

11. B

12. B

13. A

14. C

15. D

16. A

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

The Nervous System

Terminology

Accessory nerve (XI) - The motor nerve that commands the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.

Action potential - A nerve impulse; the electrical signal that travels along an axon.

Afferent nerves - Also called sensory or receptor neurons and afferent axons, these nerves carry impulses from receptors or sense organs toward the central nervous system.

Alpha-beta axons - The myelinated afferent neurons that quickly convey sharp, precise, acute pain to the brain. Alpha axons have a larger diameter and higher conduction velocity; beta axons are smaller in diameter and have slower conduction velocity.

Amygdala - The portion of the limbic brain responsible for emotional response, memory, and impulse control.

Arachnoid mater - The membrane deep to the dura, lined with squamous epithelium; creates a space for cerebrospinal fluid.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) - A part of the nervous system that has two divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The activities of the ANS are involuntary and regulated by the hypothalamus and brain stem. The sympathetic nervous system signals the body's fight-or-flight mechanisms; the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for returning organ functions to normal levels to maintain homeostasis.

Axon - The neuronal process that transmits impulses away from a cell body.

Axon terminal - The distal termination of the branches of an axon.

Baroreceptors - The stretch receptors in the aortic and carotid bodies that respond to pressure change.

Basal ganglia - The gray matter in the cerebrum that controls subconscious muscle activities like walking or chewing.

Brachial plexus - The nerve plexus extending from the spinal cord to innervate the arm.

Brain - A part of the central nervous system located in the cranial cavity.

Brain stem -

The bridge between the spine and brain; the reflex center for vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breath. Parts of the brain stem include the pons, medulla, and midbrain.

C-fiber axons - Unmyelinated afferent neurons that convey diffuse, throbbing pain more slowly to the brain.

Cell body - The part of a neuron containing the nucleus, also called soma.

Central nervous system (CNS) - A major division of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebellum - The second largest portion of the brain that controls balance and posture, coordinates voluntary muscle activity, and regulates resting muscle tone.

Cerebral cortex - The outer layer of gray matter.

Cerebral hemispheres - Two large masses of brain tissue on right and left sides of the body.

Cerebrospinal fluid - The fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrum - The largest part of the brain containing the cerebral cortex, as well as several subcortical structures, including the hippocampus, basal ganglia, and olfactory bulb; involved in the most complex processes of thinking, learning, memory, emotions, sensory perception, and movement.

Cervical plexus - The plexus of nerves innervating the neck.

Chemical stimuli - A change in the chemistry of the internal or external environment that stimulates chemoreceptors.

Chemoreceptors - The receptors stimulated by a chemical change in the environment.

Cingulate gyrus - The portions of the cerebral hemispheres that add emotional content to sensory input and regulate perception of pain.

Cognition - The process by which sensory input is received, transformed, stored, and used.

Corpus callosum - A white-matter bridge of myelinated axons that connects the cerebral hemispheres.

Cranial nerves - A part of the peripheral nervous system connected to the brain; they contain sensory, motor, and autonomic nerve fibers.

Dendrite - The neuronal processes that transmit impulses to a cell body.

Dermatome - An area of skin innervated by sensory fibers from a single spinal nerve.

Diencephalon - An area of the brain that houses the thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, metathalamus, and pineal gland.

Dura mater - The tough fibrous outer covering to the spinal cord and brain.

Effector - The organs that respond to impulses from the central nervous system (CNS).

Efferent nerves - Also called motor or effector neurons, these nerves carry impulses away from the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles or glands. The opposite activity or direction of flow is afferent.

Endorphins - The small peptides found in many parts of the body that function as natural painkillers; also linked to memory, learning, pleasure sensations, etc.

Facial nerve (VII) - The 7th cranial nerve that registers taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue; motor nerves control facial expression; autonomic nerves control secretions from tear glands, salivation, and mucous glands of nose.

Frontal lobe - The lobe of the brain located beneath the frontal bone.

Hippocampus - The portion of the limbic brain involved in creating new memories.

Hypothalamus - The primary connection between nervous and endocrine systems via the pituitary gland; control center for the ANS; regulates circadian rhythms, state of consciousness, body temperature, hunger and thirst, and emotion.

Innervate - To penetrate with nerves in order to conduct neural impulses.

Integrative function - The functions of the central nervous system not directly related to motor or sensory information, such as those related to language, memory, thinking, learning, etc.

Interneuron - A neuron that forms a connection between other neurons. They are found entirely within the central nervous system where they act as a link between sensory neurons and motor neurons. The term is also applied to brain and spinal cord neurons whose axons connect only with nearby neurons.

Limbic system - The emotional brain; a collection of structures that process memory, emotion, and unconscious aspects of behavior.

Lumbar plexus - The plexus of nerves innervating the lower back.

Mammillary bodies - These two, small round bodies are components of the limbic brain that receive information and associate it with memory.

Mechanical stimuli - Any input that produces a change in state or measurable response of the nervous system.

Median nerve - A nerve of the brachial plexus that innervates the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand.

Medulla oblongata - A part of the brain associated with sensations of touch and vibration; controls reflexes such as coughing, hiccupping, sneezing, and swallowing; regulates involuntary vital functions like breathing and heart rate and connects the brain to the spinal cord.

Meninges - The three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. The outside membrane is the dura mater, the center is the arachnoid membrane, and the thin, innermost layer is the pia mater.

Midbrain - A part of the brain that connects the brain stem to the diencephalon; it coordinates muscle contractions and movements of eyes, head, and neck in response to visual stimuli, and relays auditory impulses to the thalamus.

Mixed nerve - A spinal nerve that contains both motor and sensory nerves.

Motor neuron - An efferent nerve that relays impulses from the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system to instigate movement.

Myelin - The alternating layers of lipid and protein that create the protective myelin sheath around nerves.

Myelin sheath - An insulating covering of myelin (a fatty substance that protects nerves) that surrounds the core of an axon and facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses.

Myelinated fibers - The nerve fibers whose axons are protected by a myelin sheath.

Nerve - A cord-like structure comprised of bundles of nerve fibers that uses electrical and chemical signals to transmit sensory and motor information from one body part to another.

Nerve impulse - Also known as action potential, this is the electrical signal that travels along an axon.

Nerve plexus - An intermingling of adjacent spinal nerves to form a network as part of the enteric nervous system. Nerve plexuses include the cervical plexus, brachial plexus, lumbar plexus, sacral plexus, celiac (solar) plexus, coccygeal plexus, Auerbach's plexus, and Meissner's plexus.

Nervous system - The body system containing structures that receive, process, and respond to stimuli inside and outside the body.

Neural pathway - A connection between two parts of the nervous system, usually consisting of white matter.

Neurilemma - The thin membrane that forms a sheath around nerve fibers, also known as the sheath of Schwann and maintained by Schwann cells.

Neuritis - Inflammation of one or more nerves that involves pain and loss of function.

Neurofibrils - A fibril in the cytoplasm of a nerve cell.

Neuron - A nerve cell that receives and sends electrical signals from one body part to another. The functional unit of the nervous system.

Neurotransmitter - A chemical released by a neuron that transmits an electrical impulse to another neuron or an effector cell.

Nociceptors -

Sensory receptors that detect potentially damaging stimuli, often resulting in the perception of pain.

Node of Ranvier - A gap in the myelin sheath that aids in speeding the impulses.

Occipital lobe - The posterior lobe of the brain where the primary vision centers are located.

Pain perception - Registering an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.

Parasympathetic nervous system - One of two divisions of the autonomic nervous system. It is responsible for slowing the heart rate, increasing intestinal and glandular activity, and relaxing the sphincter muscles to return organ functions to normal levels and maintain homeostasis. The other division is the sympathetic nervous system.

Paresthesia - Spontaneous, unpleasant sensations caused mainly by pressure on peripheral nerves; known as "pins and needles."

Parietal lobe - The lobe of the brain located beneath the parietal bones. It functions in processing sensory information regarding the location of parts of the body, as well as interpreting visual information and processing language and mathematics.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS) - The nervous system of the periphery; everything that is not brain and spinal cord.

Photoreceptor - Receptors that register light; found in the retina.

Pia mater - The delicate membrane that envelopes the brain and spinal cord.

Pituitary gland - A small oval gland residing in a bony recess of the sphenoid bone that produces hormones affecting many organs and other glands of the body; known as the master gland.

Pons - A small portion of the brain located above the medulla oblongata that provides connection between the spinal cord, cerebrum, and cerebellum; regulates involuntary actions such as breathing.

Proprioceptors - Sensory receptors that register position and movement of skeletal muscles and joints.

Radial nerve - The nerve of the radial side of the arm.

Reflex arc - A neural pathway that controls a rapid action reflex.

Reticular formation - An inner core of gray matter found in the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata that contains multiple cell groups that influence motor function. Ascending fibers maintain an alert state in the cerebral cortex, and descending fibers regulate resting muscle tone, digestion salivation, urination, and sexual arousal.

Sacral plexus - The nerve plexus emanating from the sacrum that supplies the lower limbs.

Schwann cell - Also known as a neurilemma, this neuroglial cell is responsible for myelinating nerves in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Sciatic nerve - A bundle of nerves, branching from lumbar and sacral vertebrae, that passes deep to the gluteus maximus and the piriformis muscle.

Sensory nerve - An afferent nerve that transmits sensation from the environment to the central nervous system (CNS).

Sensory neuron - The nerve cells that transmit sensory information to the central nervous system (CNS); also called afferent neuron.

Sensory receptors - A nerve ending that responds to various changes in environment and sensory stimuli. Special senses receptors include photoreceptors (vision), mechanoreceptors for hearing and equilibrium, and chemoreceptors for olfaction and taste. General sense receptors include proprioceptors: muscle spindles, golgi tendon organs, nociceptors for pain perception, baroreceptors for pressure, tactile receptors (including free nerve endings), Pacinian corpuscles, Merkle discs, Meissner's corpuscles, Ruffini corpuscles, hair root plexus receptors, thermoreceptors, and chemoreceptors that send information about pH, CO2 levels, and body fluids in the blood vessels.

Somatic nervous system - A part of the peripheral nervous system that includes sensory neurons that transmit information from special sense receptors, tactile receptors, and general receptors of joints and muscles.

Special sensory receptor - A nerve ending responsible for senses of sight, smell, taste, and hearing.

Spinal cord - This pathway for nerve impulses is an organ of the central nervous system (CNS) and is located in the spinal cavity.

Spinal nerves - The nerves which carry impulses to and from the spinal cord.

Stimulus - Any internal or external change that produces a response in the body.

Subarachnoid space - The anatomic space between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater in the central nervous system. It is filled with cerebrospinal fluid that helps cushion the brain and protect it from injury. It is also part of the blood-brain barrier and helps protect the brain from many bloodborne pathogens.

Sympathetic nervous system - One of two divisions of the autonomic nervous system. It signals the body's fight-or-flight mechanisms associated with the adrenal secretion of epinephrine that causes increased heart rate, increased blood flow to the brain and muscles, increased sugar levels in the blood, and dilated pupils. The other division is the parasympathetic nervous system.

Synapse - A region where neurons communicate with one another.

Synaptic cleft - A gap between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons across which the neurotransmitter diffuses.

Temporal lobe - A lobe of the brain located beneath each temporal bone, and associated with understanding speech.

Thalamus - A structure in the brain that provides initial interpretation of sensory input and relays it to appropriate areas of the cerebrum.

Thermal stimuli - Stimulation regarding temperature.

Thermoreceptor - A sensory receptor that registers temperature and changes in temperature.

Trigeminal nerve (V) - Composed of three main branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular nerves. It contains sensory nerves that transmit general sensations from the face, nose, mouth, and pharynx, and motor nerves that control muscles of mastication.

Ulnar nerve - The nerve traveling through the ulnar side of the arm.

Unmyelinated axon - A nerve that lacks a myelin sheath, causing it to transmit nerve impulses more slowly than a myelinated nerve.

Vagus nerve (X) - A cranial nerve with a wide array of special senses, sensory, motor, and autonomic functions including digestion, respiration, and cardiovascular functions.

Vesicle (axon terminal) - Tiny containers, enclosed by a lipid membrane, that store various neurotransmitters that are released at the nerve synapse. Vesicles function in nerve impulse transmission.

Practice Quiz

1. Where does the major nerve supply of the arm come from?

a. cervical plexus

b. accessory nerve

c. axillary nerve

d. brachial plexus

2. The nerves to the hip and upper thigh muscles that innervate the low back emerge from the:

a. brachial plexus

b. lumbar plexus

c. sciatic nerve

d. spinal nerves T9-T12

3. The activities of this branch of the nervous system are involuntary and regulated by the hypothalamus and brain stem:

a. motor division

b. autonomic division

c. centrosome division

d. cervical division

4. A rapid response to a stimulus is usually through:

a. an autonomic response

b. a visual sighting

c. a reflex arc

d. deep thinking

5. The neurons responsible for maintaining a state of arousal are in the:

a. reticular formation

b. forebrain

c. adrenal gland

d. cingulate gyrus

6. The structure that controls much of the endocrine system is the:

a. medulla

b. pituitary gland

c. pineal gland

d. adrenal gland

7. The traveling wave of depolarization along an axon is a(n):

a. neuronal discharge

b. sensation

c. afferent signal

d. nerve impulse

8. The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by protective membranes known as:

a. meninges

b. pericardia

c. myelin sheaths

d. axons

9. A nerve ending activated by stretching, ligament tension, or touch is a:

a. mechanoreceptor

b. chemoreceptor

c. afferent nerve

d. interoceptor

10. The primary vision centers of the brain are located in the:

a. optic tracts

b. midbrain

c. frontal lobe

d. occipital lobe

11. Which of the following is not associated with cerebral cortex?

a. reflective thinking

b. self-conciousness

c. blood pressure

d. frontal motor area

12. What do you call a neuron that forms connections with other neurons?

a. synapse

b. spinal neuron

c. interneuron

d. exoneuron

13. Which portion of the nerve receives incoming nerve impulses?

a. axon

b. synapse

c. dendrite

d. glial cells

14. The part of the limbic system involved in creating new memories is the:

a. pons

b. hippocampus

c. hypothalamus

d. thalamus

15. Paired nerves emerging from the spinal cord are the:

a. accessory nerves

b. oligodendrocytes

c. spinal nerves

d. autonomic system

16. Molecules that activate chemoreceptors are called:

a. toxins

b. chemical stimuli

c. ketones

d. neurotransmitters

17. The term describing understanding and knowledge from experience is:

a. perception

b. book smarts

c. cognition

d. intellectualism

18. The portions of the cerebral hemispheres that add emotional content to sensory input and regulate perception of pain are called:

a. frontal lobes

b. cingulate gyrus

c. internal capsule

d. pre-central gyrus

19. Most of the respiratory centers of the brain are located in the:

a. thalamus

b. pons

c. midbrain

d. cerebellum

20. The basal ganglia are in the:

a. diencephalon

b. cerebrum

c. brain stem

d. upper spinal cord

21. The most medial nerve of the forearm is the:

a. median nerve

b. musculocutaneous nerve

c. humeral nerve

d. ulnar nerve

22. What do you call changes in temperature that activate thermoreceptors?

a. acuceptive

b. nociceptive

c. proprioceptive

d. thermal stimuli

23. Neuron is another term for a:

a. myocyte

b. nerve cell

c. spinal tract

d. nerve trunk

24. A nerve ending activated by tissue damage that conveys pain signals is a(n):

a. baroreceptor

b. inhibitory neuron

c. nociceptor

d. mechanoreceptor

25. Information about body position and movement is provided by the:

a. baroreceptors

b. exteroceptors

c. autonomic afferents

d. proprioceptors

26. What is the part of the central nervous system (CNS) outside the brain?

a. spinal cord

b. thalamus

c. aortic body

d. medulla

Practice Quiz Answer Key

1. D

2. B

3. B

4. C

5. A

6.

7. D

8. A

9. A

10. D

11. C

12. C

13. C

14. B

15. C

16. B

17. C

18. B

19. B

20. B

21. D

22. D

23. B

24. C

25. D

26. A

The Muscular System

Terminology

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) - A high-energy compound required for metabolic processes.

Actin - A type of protein (together with myosin) that is a component of a myofilament and functions in the contraction of a muscle. Actin also plays a role in the maintenance of cell shape.

Adductor brevis - A muscle of the medial thigh, situated deep to the pectineus and adductor longus, that adducts and medially rotates the hip.

Adductor longus - A superficial muscle of the medial thigh that adducts and medially rotates the hip; it has an easily palpated tendon at the pubic tubercle.

Adductor magnus - The largest of the medial thigh muscles that adducts, medially rotates, and extends the hip.

Aerobic cellular metabolism - Energy production that requires the presence of oxygen.

Agonist - The muscle mainly responsible for creating a given movement through contraction; the prime mover.

All-or-none response - Principle stating that all muscle fibers in a motor unit will contract when threshold stimulus is reached. The nerves respond completely or not at all.

Anaerobic cellular metabolism - Energy production that can occur without the presence of oxygen.

Antagonist - A muscle that acts in opposition to the agonist/prime mover in order to control a motion, slow it down, or return a body part to its initial position.

Anterior scalene - The anterior-most scalene muscle that elevates ribs during inhalation, flexes the neck, laterally flexes the neck to the same side, and rotates the head and neck to the opposite side.

Aponeurosis - Wide, fibrous sheet of connective tissue that provides an attachment site for muscle fibers.

Biceps brachii - A two-headed muscle of the upper arm that flexes the elbow and shoulder, and supinates the forearm.

Biceps femoris - The superficial hamstring muscle that flexes the knee, laterally rotates the flexed knee, extends and laterally rotates the hip, and tilts the pelvis posteriorly.

Bipennate muscle - A term to describe the architecture of a muscle; refers to muscles that have fibers on two sides of a tendon (e.g., rectus femoris).

Brachialis - The muscle of the upper arm deep to the biceps brachii that flexes the elbow.

Brachioradialis - A superficial muscle on the radial side of the forearm that flexes the elbow and assists in pronation and supination of the forearm with resistance; it crosses the elbow but not the wrist joint.

Buccinators - Cheek muscles between the maxilla and the mandible that assist in mastication.

Circular muscle - A muscle with a circular shape arranged around an opening. This term also applies to sphincter muscles.

Concentric contraction - A muscle contraction that occurs when muscle fibers shorten as tension develops.

Contractile - Tissue that has the ability to contract.

Coracobrachialis - A small muscle in the axillary region that flexes and adducts the shoulder (glenohumeral joint) and is located on the proximal medial humerus.

Cramp - Painful, temporary muscle spasms.

Deltoid - Hard muscle of the lateral shoulder; all fibers abduct the shoulder; anterior fibers flex, medially rotate, and horizontally adduct the shoulder; posterior fibers extend, laterally rotate, and horizontally abduct the shoulder.

Diaphragm - Umbrella-shaped muscle that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities; the primary muscle of respiration.

Eccentric contraction - Contraction in which muscle fibers lengthen against some resistance.

Elasticity - A characteristic of muscle tissue where the muscle fibers recoil and resume their resting length.

Endomysium - Connective tissue that surrounds an individual muscle fiber.

Epimysium - Connective tissue that surrounds an entire muscle.

Excitability - A characteristic of muscle tissue where the muscle is able to receive and respond to stimuli. Also called irritability.

Extensibility - A characteristic of muscle tissue where the muscle is able to be stretched or extended.

Extensor carpi radialis brevis - The shorter muscle of the forearm that extends and abducts the wrist, and assists in flexion of the elbow.

Extensor carpi radialis longus - The longer muscle of the forearm that extends and abducts the wrist, and assists in flexion of the elbow.

Extensor carpi ulnaris - A muscle of the forearm along the ulnar shaft that extends and adducts the wrist.

Extensor digitorum - A muscle of the forearm that extends the second through fifth fingers and assists wrist extension.

Extensor digitorum longus - A muscle of the lower leg that extends the second through fifth toes, dorsiflexes the ankle, and everts the foot.

Extensor hallucis longus - A muscle of the lower leg that extends the first toe, dorsiflexes the ankle, and inverts the foot.

External intercostals - The muscles between the ribs on the lateral aspect of the rib cage that assist in inhalation by drawing the ventral part of the ribs upward, thereby increasing volume in the thoracic cavity.

External obliques - The most superficial lateral abdominal muscles that flex the vertebral column, compress abdominal contents, laterally flex the vertebral column to the same side, and rotate it to the opposite side.

Fascia - A type of connective tissue that surrounds and connects all structures of the body in a web-like unit.

Fascicles - Bundles of muscle fibers surrounded by additional connective tissue known as the perimysium.

Fast-twitch fibers - Muscle fibers which respond to stimuli within 0.01 seconds; they are large in diameter and fatigue rapidly.

Flexor carpi radialis - A muscle of the anterior forearm that flexes and abducts the wrist and assists with elbow flexion.

Flexor carpi ulnaris - A muscle of the anterior, ulnar aspect of the forearm that flexes and adducts the wrist and may flex the elbow.

Flexor digitorum longus - A muscle of the lower leg, in the deep posterior compartment, that flexes the second through fifth toes, weakly plantar flexes the ankle, and inverts the foot.

Flexor digitorum profundus - The deep muscle of the anterior forearm that flexes the second through fifth fingers and may flex the wrist.

Flexor digitorum superficialis - A superficial muscle of the anterior forearm that flexes the second through fifth fingers and flexes the wrist.

Flexor hallucis longus - A muscle of the lower leg, in the deep posterior compartment that flexes the first toe, weakly plantar flexes the ankle, and inverts the foot.

Frontalis - A muscle of the forehead that's contiguous with the occipitalis; raises the eyebrows.

Fusiform muscle - A term to describe the architecture of a muscle and referring to muscles with parallel fibers that are wide in the belly and tapered on the ends, culminating in long, cord-like tendons (e.g., biceps brachii).

Gastrocnemius - The most superficial muscle of the lower leg that flexes the knee and plantar flexes the ankle.

Gluteus maximus - The largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles that extends, laterally rotates, and abducts the hip; lower fibers adduct the hip. Known as the largest muscle in human body.

Gluteus medius - One of three gluteal muscles (deep to, and partially covered by, the gluteus maximus) that abducts, flexes, extends, and medially and laterally rotates the hip.

Gluteus minimus - The smallest and deepest of the three gluteal muscles. Situated immediately beneath the gluteus medius, it abducts, medially rotates, and flexes the hip.

Golgi tendon organ - The sensory nerve endings in tendons that monitor muscle length.

Gracilis - The inner thigh muscle that adducts and medially rotates the hip, and flexes and medially rotates the knee; the longest adductor.

Graded response - Altering the number of motor units stimulated to monitor the force of muscle contraction.

Iliacus - This muscle—deep to abdominal organs—flexes, laterally rotates, and adducts the hip, and fills the iliac fossa.

Iliocostalis - The erector spinae muscle that extends the vertebral column and laterally flexes it to the same side.

Infraspinatus - The rotator cuff muscle that laterally rotates, adducts, extends, and horizontally abducts the shoulder; it stabilizes the head of the humerus in the glenoid cavity.

Insertion - The site of attachment of a muscle to the bone that it moves.

Internal intercostals - The muscles between the ribs on the medial aspect of the rib cage that assist in exhalation by drawing the ventral part of the ribs downward, decreasing the volume of the thoracic cavity.

Internal obliques - The abdominal muscles that flex the vertebral column, compress abdominal contents, and laterally flex and rotate the vertebral column to the same side.

Interspinales - The short, deep muscles between each vertebra that extend the vertebral column.

Intertransversarii - The small, deep muscles between the transverse processes of each vertebra that laterally flex the vertebral column to the same side.

Inverse stretch reflex - Mediated by Golgi tendon organs, this reflex inhibits muscle contraction, causing a stretched/contracted muscle to relax.

Isometric contraction - A type of muscle contraction that increases muscle tension but does not allow movement at the joint.

Isotonic contraction - A type of muscle contraction that causes the muscle to change length as it contracts and causes movement of a body part.

Lactic acid - The acid produced by the body during the anaerobic metabolism of glucose in muscle tissue.

Lateral pterygoid - The two-headed muscle of the face and jaw that depresses, protrudes, and laterally shifts the mandible side to side, assisting in mastication.

Latissimus dorsi - The broad muscle of the lateral posterior body that extends, adducts, and medially rotates the shoulder.

Levator scapulae - The muscle from the superior angle of the scapula to the transverse processes of C1–C4; it elevates and downwardly rotates the scapula, laterally flexes and rotates the head and neck to the same side, and extends the head and neck.

Longissimus - The erector spinae muscle that extends the vertebral column and laterally flexes it to the same side.

Masseter - The primary muscle of mastication that elevates the mandible and attaches to the zygomatic arch; strongest muscle in the body relative to its size.

Mechanoreceptors - The sensory receptors sensitive to mechanical changes such as touch, pressure, movement, and vibration.

Medial pterygoid - The two-headed muscle of the face and jaw that elevates and laterally shifts the mandible side to side, assisting in mastication.

Middle scalene - The bilateral neck muscle that elevates the ribs during inhalation, laterally flexes the neck to the same side, and rotates the head and neck to the opposite side. Found lateral to the anterior scalene, it is the largest of the three scalenes.

Motor end plate - The region of the neuromuscular junction located on a muscle fiber that responds to neurotransmitters released from the knobs of a motor neuron.

Motor neuron - A nerve cell that transmits information from the central nervous system to muscles and glands.

Motor unit - A motor neuron and the muscle fibers it innervates. The force of a muscle contraction is controlled by the number of activated motor units.

Motor unit recruitment - A measure of how many motor neurons are activated in a particular muscle, and therefore how many muscle fibers of that muscle are triggered. The higher the motor unit recruitment, the stronger the muscle contraction.

Multifidi - The group of muscles of the spine that extends the vertebral column and rotates it to the opposite side.

Multipennate muscle - A term to describe the architecture of a muscle; refers to muscles that have fibers that are oriented at multiple angles along a force-generating axis (e.g., deltoid muscle).

Muscle belly - The largest, middle portion of a muscle.

Muscle fatigue - The inability of muscle to contract when stimulated; occurs after prolonged activity.

Muscle fiber - The cells that comprise muscle tissue.

Muscle recruitment - The coactivation of related muscle groups to produce complex, coordinated, and strong movement.

Muscle spindle - The proprioceptor found in skeletal muscle that senses length and changes in length as part of the stretch reflex.

Muscle tone - The natural firmness of a muscle.

Muscular system - The body system made up of muscles that move and support the skeleton and protect internal organs.

Musculotendinous junction - The place where the muscle and tendon weave together before the tendon attaches to bone.

Myofibrils - Small, cylindrical organelles that are organized in parallel bundles and are made up of smaller myofilaments; located in the cytoplasm of a muscle fiber.

Myofilament - A component of myofibrils made up of a thick filament of the protein myosin and a thin filament of the protein actin.

Myosin - A type of protein (together with actin) that is a component of a myofilament and functions in the contraction of a muscle.

Neuromuscular junction - The joining between a muscle and its motor nerve ending.

Neurotransmitter - A chemical released by a neuron that transmits an electrical impulse to another neuron or an effector cell.

Occipitalis - A muscle on the occipital portion of the skull that's contiguous with the frontalis muscle.

Orbicularis oculi - A muscle that closes the eyelids.

Orbicularis oris - A muscle that closes the mouth and puckers the lips.

Origin - The more fixed and stable attachment of a muscle (as distinguished from its insertion).

Oxygen debt - The cumulative deficit of oxygen resulting from exercise.

Palmaris longus - A muscle of the forearm that tenses the palmar fascia and flexes the wrist and elbow.

Parallel muscle - A muscle whose fibers are the same length and run parallel to each other.

Pectineus - A muscle of the groin/inner thigh that adducts, medially rotates, and assists to flex the hip; smallest of the hip adductors.

Pectoralis major - A large, superficial muscle of the chest; all fibers adduct and medially rotate the shoulder; may assist in forced inhalation if arm is fixed; upper fibers flex and horizontally adduct the shoulder; lower fibers extend the shoulder.

Pectoralis minor - A muscle of the chest deep to the pectoralis major that depresses, abducts, and tilts the scapula anteriorly; may assist in forced inhalation if scapula is fixed.

Pennate muscle - A term to describe the architecture of a muscle and referring to muscles with fibers that run at oblique angles to their central tendons, resembling a feather. Pennate muscles can be unipennate, bipennate, or multipennate.

Perimysium - The thin, connective tissue layer surrounding each fascicle of a muscle.

Peroneus brevis - The shorter of the two muscles of the lateral lower leg that everts the foot and assists in plantar flexion of the ankle. Also commonly called the fibularis brevis.

Peroneus longus - The longer of the two muscles of the lateral lower leg that everts the foot and assists in plantar flexion of the ankle; also called the fibularis longus.

Piriformis - The deep muscle of the hip that laterally rotates the hip and abducts the thigh when the hip is flexed.

Platysma - A superficial muscle running from the face to the chest that assists in depressing the mandible and tightening the fascia of the neck.

Posterior scalene - A muscle of the lateral neck that connects to the second rib; elevates the ribs during inhalation, laterally flexes the neck to the same side when the ribs are fixed, and rotates the head and neck to the opposite side.

Prime mover - The agonist; the muscle mainly responsible for a given movement.

Pronator teres - A muscle on the anterior forearm that pronates the forearm and assists in elbow flexion.

Psoas major - A muscle deep to abdominal contents that flexes, laterally rotates, and adducts the hip.

Psoas minor - Present in roughly 40% of the population, this muscle assists in upward rotation of the pelvis, in opposition to psoas major.

Quadratus lumborum - A muscle of the low back that elevates the hip, laterally flexes the vertebral column to the same side, assists to extend the vertebral column, and fixes the last rib during respiration.

Reciprocal inhibition - A reflex mechanism that coordinates the efforts of agonist and antagonist muscles.

Rectus abdominis - The superficial abdominal muscles that flex the vertebral column.

Rectus femoris - The longest, most superficial quadriceps muscles that extend the knee and flex the hip.

Retinaculum - A fibrous band of tissue that stabilizes tendons at the ankle, wrist, and knee.

Rhomboid - A flat muscle of the upper back that adducts, elevates, and downwardly rotates the scapula.

Rotatores - The muscles of the spine that extend the vertebral column and rotate it to the opposite side.

Sarcomere - The contractile unit within a muscle fiber.

Sarcoplasm - The cytoplasm of a muscle fiber.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum - The endoplasmic reticulum of a muscle fiber.

Sartorius - The longest muscle in the body, extending from pelvis to lower leg; flexes, laterally rotates, and abducts the hip.

Semimembranosus - The most medial of the three hamstring muscles that flexes the knee, medially rotates the flexed knee, extends and medially rotates the hip, and tilts the pelvis posteriorly.

Semispinalis - The muscles of the thoracic and cervical spine that extend the vertebral column and head.

Semitendinosus - One of the three hamstring muscles notable for the length of its tendon insertion on the pes anserinus. It flexes the knee, medially rotates the flexed knee, and extends the hip.

Serratus anterior - The anterior shoulder muscle that abducts and depresses the scapula, and holds the medial border of the scapula against the rib cage; may assist in forced inhalation if the scapula is stabilized.

Sliding filament theory - The method by which muscles are thought to contract. In this model, the thick and thin myofilaments pass each other, shortening the sarcomere and causing contraction.

Slow-twitch fibers - Muscle fibers that are smaller in diameter and take longer to respond to stimuli, but have greater endurance.

Soleus - The calf muscle of the lower leg that plantar flexes the ankle.

Spasm - The persistent contraction of a muscle that is not released voluntarily.

Spinalis - The muscles of the spine that extend the vertebral column and laterally flex it to the same side.

Splenius capitis - The muscles of the upper back and posterior neck that rotate the head to the same side, and laterally flex and extend the head and neck. It performs the same actions as splenius cervicis.

Splenius cervicis - The muscles of the upper back and posterior neck that rotate the head to the same side, and laterally flex and extend the head and neck. It performs the same actions as splenius capitis.

Stabilizer - The muscles that contract to support a certain body part during movement.

Sternocleidomastoid - A lateral anterior neck muscle that flexes the neck, laterally flexes the neck and head to the same side, and rotates the neck to the opposite side.

Stretch reflex - An action when a muscle is stretched and it contracts.

Subclavius - A small muscle between the clavicle and first rib that depresses the clavicle.

Suboccipitals - Eight small muscles that are deep in the posterior neck and that provide stabilization and subtle movements of the head.

Subscapularis - The rotator cuff muscle that medially rotates the shoulder and stabilizes the head of the humerus in the glenoid cavity.

Supinator - A muscle on the lateral side of the elbow that supinates the forearm.

Supraspinatus - The rotator cuff muscle that abducts the shoulder and stabilizes the head of the humerus in the glenoid cavity.

Synergists - A muscle that assists the agonist in completing a movement.

Temporalis - The muscle on the temporal aspect of the cranium that elevates and retracts the mandible.

Tendons - The connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Tenoperiosteal junction - The site where tendon attaches to the periosteum of bone.

Tensor fasciae latae - A small, superficial muscle on the lateral upper thigh that flexes, medially rotates, and abducts the hip.

Teres major - A posterior shoulder muscle that extends, adducts, and medially rotates the shoulder; known as the "little helper" of the latissimus dorsi.

Teres minor - The rotator cuff muscle that laterally rotates, adducts, extends, and horizontally abducts the shoulder, and stabilizes the head of the humerus in the glenoid cavity.

Threshold stimulus - The amount of stimulus required to initiate a nerve impulse.

Tibialis anterior - The muscle of the anterior lower leg that inverts the foot and dorsiflexes the ankle.

Tibialis posterior - A deep muscle of the posterior leg that inverts the foot and plantar flexes the ankle.

Tonic contraction - The sustained, low-grade muscle contraction to maintain posture.

Transverse abdominis - The deepest of the lateral abdominal muscles that compress the abdominal contents.

Trapezius - A large, superficial muscle of the upper back; upper fibers bilaterally extend the head and neck; unilaterally, they laterally flex and rotate the head and neck to the same side, and elevate and upwardly rotate the scapula; middle fibers adduct and stabilize the scapula; lower fibers depress and upwardly rotate the scapula.

Triangular muscle - A term to describe the architecture of a muscle and referring to muscles with fibers organized in a fan-like shape that converge into a point (e.g., pectoralis major). Also referred to as a convergent muscle.

Triceps brachii - A muscle of the posterior arm; all three heads extend the elbow; long head extends and adducts the shoulder.

Unipennate muscle - A term to describe the architecture of a muscle and referring to muscles with fibers oriented at one fiber angle on the same side of a tendon (e.g., extensor digitorum longus).

Vastus intermedius - The smallest of the four quadriceps muscles—located between the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis—that extends the knee.

Vastus lateralis - The largest and strongest of the four quadriceps muscles—located on the lateral aspect of the anterior thigh—that extends the knee.

Vastus medialis - One of the four quadriceps muscles—located medially in the thigh—that extends the knee.

Practice Quiz

1. The prime mover in muscle contraction is also known as the:

a. agonist

b. activem uscle

c. antagonist

d. motor unit

2. Which term refers to the cytoplasm of the muscle cells?

a. sarcoplasm

b. myosin filaments

c. actin filamnets

d. sarcoplasmic reticulum

3. The fleshy center of a muscle is the:

a. muscle junction

b. muscle belly

b. muscle fibers

d. musculotendinous junction

4. Which term refers to the hard, superficial muscle that caps the shoulder?

a. pectoralis major

b. deltoid

c. trapezius

d. supraspinatus

5. What controls muscle contraction and consists of a motor neuron and all the skeletal muscle fibers that neuron can stimulate?

a. regulatory unit

b. regulatory muscle

c. motor muscle

d. motor unit

6. Which muscle attaches to the manubrium and medial clavicle, and runs up to the mastoid process?

a. sternocleidomastoid

b. suprahyoid

c. scalene

d. omohyoid

7. The more fixed muscle attachment site on a bone is the:

a. insertion

b. action

c. origin

d. musculotendinous junction

8. Which term refers to the deep muscle layer of the flexor compartment that flexes fingers 2–5?

a. flexor digitorum profundus

b. flexor carpi ulnaris

c. flexor digitorum superficialis

d. flexor carpi radialis

9. The muscle that contracts to stabilize intermediate joints, to aid the movement of the agonist, or to prevent unwanted movements is the:

a. antagonist

b. eccentrist

c. synergist

d. participant

10. The term for the wide, flat, fibrous sheet of connective tissue that provides an attachment site for muscle fibers is:

a. aponeurosis

b. tract

c. tendon

d. epimysium

11. The flat muscle from the ribs to the medial border of the scapula:

a. subscapularis

b. intercostals

c. latissimus dorsi

d. serratus anterior

12. The most lateral part of the erector spinae group is the:

a. multifidi

b. iliocostalis

c. longissimus

d. spinalis

13. Which term best describes a convergent muscle?

a. triangular muscle

b. fusiform muscle

c. strap muscle

d. parallel muscle

14. Which muscle group is an opposite-side rotator of the spine?

a. longissimus

b. spinalis

c. quadratus lumborum

d. rotatores

15. Which muscle of the posterior upper arm has three heads?

a. triceps brachii

b. brachialis

c. anconeus

d. infraspinatus

16. Which deep hip flexor attaches to the bodies and transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae?

a. rectus femoris

b. sartorius

c. psoas major

d. pectineus

17. The smallest of the hip adductors is the:

a. adductor brevis

b. quadratus femoris

c. pectineus

d. gluteus minimus

18. Which term best describes one of the contractile proteins of the myofibril?

a. hemoglobin

b. myosin

c. myoglobin

d. calbindin

19. What is the hip flexor that fills the iliac fossa?

a. internal oblique

b. iliacus

c. quadratus lumborum

d. psoas

20. What is a muscle that opposes the action of another muscle?

a. agonist

b. antagonist

c. multipennate

d. synergist

21. Which term refers to the connective tissue envelope around a muscle fascicle?

a. perimysium

b. endomysium

c. epimysium

d. myosium

22. The most superficial, lateral abdominal muscle is the:

a. latissimus dorsi

b. external oblique

c. internal oblique

d. transversus abdominis

23. Skeletal muscles are most accurately described as:

a. striated

b. nonstriated

c. involuntary

d. smooth

24. Which term best describes the normal, sustained muscle contraction required to maintain position or posture?

a. eccentric contraction

b. concentric contraction

c. isotonic contraction

d. tonic contraction

25. Which term best describes the collective of all the muscles in the body?

a. muscular system

b. fascial system

c. muscular development

d. muscle tone framework

26. The peroneus longus inserts on the:

a. styloid process of the 5th metatarsal

b. 1st cuneiform and 1st metatarsal

c. tubercle of the calcaneus

d. talus

27. Which term best describes increasing activation of a muscle through recruitment of additional motor units?

a. motor unit facilitation recruitment

b. motor unit recruitment

c. motor unit inhibition

d. motor unit dysfunction

28. Which term refers to the flat muscles connecting the spinous processes of C7–T5 and the nuchal ligament to the medial scapula?

a. levator scapulae

b. upper trapezius

c. rhomboids

d. serratus posterior superior

29. The deep muscle of the upper arm:

a. biceps brachii

b. brachioradialis

c. brachialis

d. anconeus

30. The rotator cuff muscle that laterally rotates the shoulder is called the:

a. subscapularis

b. infraspinatus

c. teres major

d. supraspinatus

31. What is the large, superficial muscle of the anterior chest?

a. pectoralis major

b. subclavius

c. retcus abdominis

d. pectoralis minor

32. Which term best describes a muscle that has the same action as the reference muscle?

a. antagonist

b. agonist

c. synergist

d. stabilizer

33. Which muscle refers to the medial hamstring that originates on the ischial tuberosity and inserts on the posterior medial tibial condyle?

a. biceps femoris short head

b. semitendinosus

c. biceps femoris long head

d. semimembranosus

34. Which term best describes a circular fascial muscle surrounding the eye orbit?

a. epicranius

b. orbicularis oris

c. buccinator

d. orbicularis oculi

35. The muscle of the deep posterior compartment that runs to toes 2–5 is the:

a. flexor digitorum profundus

b. flexor pollicis longus

c. flexor digitorum brevis

d. flexor digitorum longus

36. Which muscle of the lower leg originates on the posterior interosseous membrane, adjacent to the tibia and fibula, and inserts on the underside of the tarsals?

a. tibialis posterior

b. flexor digitorum longus

c. flexor hallicus longus

d. peroneus brevis

37. To assist the release of a hypertonic soleus muscle using the reflex mechanism of reciprocal inhibition, which muscle will you coach your client to contract against your resistance?

a. tibialis anterior

b. extensor digitalis longus

c. peroneus longus

d. biceps femoris

38. Which term refers to a jaw muscle that runs vertically?

a. medial pterygoid

b. lateral pterygoid

c. buccinator

d. temporalis

39. What are the deep muscles connecting the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae?

a. interspinales

b. spinales

c. longissimus

d. intertransversi

40. The region of the neuromuscular junction located on a muscle fiber that responds to neurotransmitters released from the knobs of a motor neuron is called the:

a. golgi tendon organ

b. motor end plate

c. muscle spindle cell

d. nociceptor

41. The region of the neuromuscular junction located on a muscle fiber that responds to neurotransmitters released from the knobs of a motor neuron is called the:

a. quadratus lumborum

b. quadratus femoris

c. rectus abdominis

d. iliacus

42. The muscle that protracts and rotates the jaw to the opposite side is called the:

a. temporalis

b. masseter

c. medial pterygoid

d. lateral pterygoid

43. Which term refers to the ability to extend or protrude?

a. spongy

b. springy

c. extensibility

d. rigidity

44. The endoplasmic reticulum of the muscle cells is called:

a. actin reticulum

b. sarcoplasm

c. sarcoplasmic reticulum

d. myosin reticulum

Practice Quiz Answer Key

1. A

2. A

3. B

4. B

5. D

6. A

7. C

8. A

9. C

10. A

11. D

12. B

13. A

14. D

15. A

16. C

17. C

18. B

19. B

20. B

21. A

22. B

23. A

24. D

25. A

26. B

27. B

28. C

29. C

30. B

31. A

32. C

33. D

34. D

35. D

36. A

37. A

38. A

39. A

40. B

41. A

42. D

43. C

44. C