A four-sided muscle is known as what?

Study for your anatomy test with Netter's Anatomy Practice Test. Utilize questions and illustrated guides to master human anatomy and ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

A four-sided muscle is known as what?

Explanation:
In muscle morphology, shape terms describe how a muscle looks. A four-sided muscle is described as quadrate because the word means four-sided or square in form. This name fits muscles that appear boxy or rectangular in outline, such as the quadratus group (for example, the quadratus lumborum or quadratus femoris) which are roughly square in cross-section. Circular muscles form rings around openings, flat muscles are broad and sheet-like, and pennate muscles have fibers arranged like a feather attaching to a tendon. So the descriptor that directly conveys a four-sided shape is quadrate.

In muscle morphology, shape terms describe how a muscle looks. A four-sided muscle is described as quadrate because the word means four-sided or square in form. This name fits muscles that appear boxy or rectangular in outline, such as the quadratus group (for example, the quadratus lumborum or quadratus femoris) which are roughly square in cross-section. Circular muscles form rings around openings, flat muscles are broad and sheet-like, and pennate muscles have fibers arranged like a feather attaching to a tendon. So the descriptor that directly conveys a four-sided shape is quadrate.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy