Overview of the musculoskeletal system

Lesson outcomes

1. Describe the attachments of muscles.

2. Outline the principles of attachments of a muscle to make a joint
move effectively.
3. Describe the movements of joints.
4. Outline the arrangement of muscles as functional groups to move a
joints.
Muscle attachments
Origin – Usually the proximal end of
the muscle remains fixed during
contraction
Insertion – Usually the distal end of
the muscle movable

Attachment is by thick collagen fibers

As a bundle Flat sheet

(tendon) ( aponeuroses)
 Muscle
Joint
A
Origin Insertion
Muscle
Joint
B
Origin Insertion
Muscle

C
Joint
Origin Insertion

Which of the muscle arrangement ( A,B,C) will move the joint?

C. Muscle has to cross the joint if it is to act on that

joint.
 Muscle

A
Origin Joint Insertion

Muscle

B
Origin Joint Insertion

Which of the muscle arrangement ( A or B ) will move the joint

effectively?

A. Closer the insertion of a muscle to a joint, that

muscle will move the joint more effectively than a
muscle whose insertion is away from the joint.
Functional classification of muscles

1. Prime movers (agonists) - provides major force for a

specific movement
2. Antagonists – oppose or reverse the specific movement
3. Synergists – helps the prime mover by adding force

Movement X – Muscle A is the prime

Muscle A mover.
Muscle B is the
X antagonist

Joint
Movement Y – Muscle B is the prime
mover.
Muscle B Y Muscle A is the
antagonist
Movements of joints
Flexion – Decrease the angle [ flexor muscles]
Extension – Increase the angle [ extensor muscles]
Abduction – moving away from the midline [ abductors]
Adduction – Moving toward midline [ adductors ]
Medial rotation – Inward rotation ( medial rotators)
Lateral rotation – Outward rotation ( lateral rotators)
Movements of joints
Pronation & supination – rotation of the radius around the ulna
[ pronators & supinators]
Inversion & eversion – Sole of the foot turns medially or laterally
[ invertors & evertors]
Movements of joints
Protraction & retraction – Anterior & posterior movements of
the mandible [ protractors & retractors]
Elevation & depression – Moving up or down e.g. Shoulder &
mandible [elevators & depressors]
Opposition – Thumb to the tip of the other fingers [opponens]
Thank you
Dr. Joachim Perera

pererajoe1952@yahoo.com