BIO 240 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Gastrocnemius Muscle, Defecation, Axial Skeleton
Document Summary
The best way to learn about the human skeleton is by dissection of a human cadaver, but since that isn"t always an option, you are left with learning from a text. You should be able to identify major superficial muscles on figures and on yourself, as well as their origin(s), insertion(s), and major actions. Daily repetition of the material will help considerably. Skeletal muscles produce movement by exerting force on tendons, which in turn pull on bones or other structures. Most muscles cross at least one joint and are attached to the articulating bones that form that joint. When a muscle contracts, it draws one articulating bone towards the other, but the two bones do not move equally in response to the contraction. One bone is held in position because other muscles contract to pull it in the opposite direction or because its structure makes it less movable. Compare the origin of a muscle with its insertion.
