Question

Discuss two specific muscles of the Axial Skeleton. Detail their attachment, insertion, joint, and adjacent ligaments if any

Answer 1

The contraction of skeletal muscles allows the movement at synovial joints. One end of the joint is attached to the fixed or less movable joint and the other joint is attached to the freely movable joint. The fixed end is called as “origin” and the freely movable end is known as “insertion.” The contraction of the muscle thus causes movement of the joint.

The muscles of axial skeleton include the muscles of head, neck, and back. Two examples are given below:

Masseter:

Origin: Maxilla arch; zygomatic arch (for masseter)

Insertion: Mandible

Joint: temporomandibular joint

Function: The masseter causes closing the mouth by elevation of the mandible.

Temporalis:

Origin: Temporal bone

Insertion: Mandible

Joint: Temporomandibular joint

Function: Closing the mouth by elevation of the mandible, allows the side-to-side movement of mandible