Muscles may be named according to __. ? myofilament type ? age ? action ? speed
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is action.
Muscles can be named based on their action, which describes the movement they produce when contracted. For example, the flexor muscles are named for their action of reducing the angle at a joint, while extensor muscles are responsible for increasing the angle. In addition to action, muscles can also be named based on other factors, but action is one of the most common naming conventions.
Here is a breakdown of how muscles can be named according to different characteristics:
- Action: This is one of the most common ways muscles are named. For example, muscles involved in flexion (bending a joint) might be called flexors, while those that extend a joint are called extensors. Other muscles are named based on specific actions, such as adductors (bring a body part closer to the midline) or abductors (move a body part away from the midline).
- Location: Muscles can be named according to their anatomical position. For instance, the temporalis muscle is located near the temple (temporal bone of the skull), and the rectus femoris muscle is located in the thigh (femur).
- Size: The size of a muscle may also contribute to its name. For example, gluteus maximus refers to the largest muscle in the gluteal region, while gluteus minimus is smaller.
- Shape: Muscles can also be named for their shape. The deltoid muscle, for example, is shaped like a triangle, and the trapezius is named after its trapezoid shape.
- Direction of Fibers: Muscles can be named based on the direction of their fibers in relation to the body. For instance, rectus muscles have fibers that run parallel to the midline of the body, while oblique muscles have fibers running at an angle.
- Number of Origins: Muscles may also be named according to the number of origins (attachment points). For example, the biceps brachii has two origins, while the triceps brachii has three.
In conclusion, muscle names provide useful information about their function, location, and structure. The action of a muscle is often the most straightforward and common characteristic used in naming.
