List the four patterns of fascicle arrangement used to classify the different types of skeletal muscles.
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Understand that fascicle arrangement refers to the way muscle fibers are organized within a skeletal muscle, which influences the muscle's range of motion and strength.
Learn the first pattern: Parallel arrangement. In this pattern, fascicles run parallel to the long axis of the muscle, such as in the sartorius muscle. This arrangement allows for greater range of motion but less strength.
Learn the second pattern: Pennate arrangement. Fascicles are short and attach obliquely to a central tendon. Examples include unipennate (e.g., extensor digitorum longus), bipennate (e.g., rectus femoris), and multipennate (e.g., deltoid). This arrangement increases strength but limits range of motion.
Learn the third pattern: Convergent arrangement. Fascicles converge from a broad origin to a single tendon insertion, as seen in the pectoralis major. This allows for versatile movement and moderate strength.
Learn the fourth pattern: Circular arrangement. Fascicles are arranged in concentric rings, forming sphincter muscles that control openings, such as the orbicularis oris around the mouth. This arrangement is specialized for closing and opening passageways.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Fascicle Arrangement
Fascicle arrangement refers to the way muscle fibers are organized within a muscle. This arrangement affects the muscle's strength, range of motion, and overall function. Understanding these patterns is crucial for classifying skeletal muscles and predicting their mechanical advantages.
Parallel muscles have fascicles that run parallel to the long axis of the muscle. This arrangement allows for a greater range of motion and is typically found in muscles that need to contract over a large distance, such as the sartorius. Their design maximizes the distance they can shorten, making them effective for specific movements.
Introduction to Muscles and Muscle Tissue Example 1
Pennate Muscles
Pennate muscles have fascicles that attach obliquely to a central tendon, resembling a feather. This arrangement allows for a higher density of muscle fibers, resulting in greater strength but a reduced range of motion. There are three types of pennate muscles: unipennate, bipennate, and multipennate, each with distinct structural characteristics.