Skeletal Muscle Diversity Dr. Anderson GCIT

Jobs of Skeletal Muscle Agonist – a muscle that produces a specific movement (e.g. elbow flexion) Antagonist – opposes the motion of the agonist when flexing Synergists – reinforce the movement of agonists or stabilize this movement – Fixators – immobilize a bone to permit smooth movement of agonist/antagonist These terms are not mutually exclusive when defining a muscle; depending on the particular movement, muscles often switch roles

Naming muscles After body region Shape Size Direction of muscle fibers Number of origins Attachment location