Athena Vale
Frogs have a variety of muscles that work together to enable them to perform a range of movements. From jumping and swimming to walking and bending, each action is powered by a specific set of muscles. The muscular system of a frog is a complex network that works in harmony with its skeletal system, digestive system, circulatory system, and more. Understanding the functions of each muscle and their unique roles is a challenging task, but one that is essential for comprehending the biology of these amphibians. This introduction aims to provide an overview of the topic, exploring the diverse functions of frog muscles and their significance in the life of a frog.
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What You'll Learn
The function of the triceps brachii
The triceps brachii is a three-headed muscle found in the posterior compartment of the arm. It is the only muscle in the posterior compartment of the arm and is innervated by the four branches of the radial nerve (C7, C8). The triceps tendon is tapped to test the function of the nerves of the arm, specifically spinal nerves C6 and C7. The triceps brachii is also an important surgical landmark as it plays a role in creating anatomical spaces which are traversed by neurovascular structures.
The main function of the triceps brachii is the extension of the forearm at the elbow joint. This occurs as a result of the contraction of the triceps brachii muscle and the relaxation of the biceps brachii. The triceps brachii is most active in pushing or thrusting movements, as well as supporting body weight on the hands with the elbows semi-flexed. For example, when using your arms to lift yourself up from a chair. The triceps brachii is also active in throwing movements, such as throwing a ball side-arm, and in lifting, such as lifting a child.
The triceps brachii can be trained in a variety of ways, including isolation movements and compound elbow extension movements. Isolation exercises include lying triceps extensions, behind-the-back arm extensions, cable push-downs, and standing triceps "kickbacks." The triceps brachii can also be contracted statically to keep the arm straight against resistance. Ruptures of the triceps brachii are rare and typically only occur in anabolic steroid users.
The superior portion of the long head of the triceps brachii is covered by the posterior border of the deltoid muscle. The long head of the triceps can be palpated as an elevation parallel and medial to the posterior border of the deltoid muscle when the elbow is extended. The long head arises from the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, which is a rough area at the inferior margin of the glenoid fossa. The lateral head originates from a narrow, linear ridge on the posterior surface of the humerus, just superior to the radial groove.
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The pectoralis major and its function
The pectoralis major is the largest muscle of the anterior chest wall. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue in females and the deep layer of fascia, subcutaneous tissue, and skin in males. It forms the anterior wall of the axilla. The pectoralis major is a superficial muscle, and in the pectoral region, it is the most superficial.
The pectoralis major has three parts: the clavicular part, the sternocostal part, and the abdominal part. The muscle is paired and has a broad origin, with all three parts converging laterally and inserting onto the greater tubercle of the humerus. The clavicular and sternocostal parts refer to their area of origin. The abdominal part is the smallest and originates from the anterior layer of the rectus sheath. The sternocostal part originates from the anterior surface of the sternum and the anterior aspects of the costal cartilages of ribs 1-6.
The pectoralis major has a threefold function, depending on which heads of muscles are involved. It adducts, medially rotates, and transversely adducts the arm at the glenohumeral joint. The clavicular part of the muscle helps to flex the humerus up to 90 degrees in a horizontal plane, while the sternocostal part extends the arm by pulling it downwards. When the arm is in the anatomical position, the pectoralis major acts as a strong adductor and internal rotator of the humerus at the shoulder joint.
The pectoralis major is active in deep or forced inspiration but not expiration. It can assist in inspiration when the diaphragm and intercostal muscles are insufficient for proper breathing. This is particularly important during forced breathing in physical distress.
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The sartorius and its function
The sartorius muscle is the longest muscle in the human body. It is a long, thin, superficial muscle that runs down the length of the thigh in the anterior compartment. The muscle is unique in that it can serve as both a hip and knee flexor. The sartorius muscle originates from the anterior superior iliac spine and the upper half of the notch between the anterior superior iliac spine and the anterior inferior iliac spine. The muscle fibres form a thin, flat muscle, which extends inferomedially across the anterior surface of the thigh.
The sartorius muscle acts synergistically with the other musculature of the hip, thigh, and knee. It crosses both the hip and knee joints, producing movements in both. At the hip joint, it is capable of flexion, external rotation, and abduction of the leg. The contraction of the sartorius muscle can also cause flexion of the knee joint and inward, or medial, rotation of the tibia against the femur. This combination of movements allows an individual to sit in a cross-legged position.
The sartorius muscle is also suggested to play an important role in climbing. The pes anserine bursa located at the insertion of the sartorius muscle can become inflamed (pes anserine bursitis) when chronically overstrained, for example, through activities such as jogging or breaststroking. The name sartorius comes from the Latin word 'sartor', meaning tailor, and it is sometimes called the tailor's muscle. This name likely refers to the cross-legged position in which tailors once sat, or the location of the inferior portion of the muscle being the 'inseam' or area of the inner thigh that tailors commonly measure when fitting trousers.
In addition to its function in humans, the sartorius muscle is also present in frogs. In frogs, the sartorius is a long, strap-shaped muscle that covers the anterior surface of the thigh. It originates on the pubis and inserts on the tibiofibula, and its function is to flex the thigh and shank.
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The gracilis major and its function
The gracilis muscle is a long, thin, and flattened muscle located in the medial (adductor) compartment of the thigh. It is the most superficial muscle on the medial side of the thigh, with its fibres running vertically downward, ending in a rounded tendon. It arises from the anterior margins of the lower half of the symphysis pubis and the upper half of the pubic arch.
The gracilis major is one of seven hip adductor muscles that help draw the thighs together. It is the weakest of the adductor muscles but the only one that crosses and acts on two joints: the hip and the knee. The gracilis major is responsible for hip adduction and assists with knee flexion. It helps with the inward and outward rotation of the thighs and stabilizes the knee when bent. The gracilis major also helps stabilize the inner hip and thigh during walking or running, contracting lightly with each step to keep the hip in the optimum position.
The gracilis muscle is vulnerable to injuries, including groin strains, muscle spasms, and pinched nerves, which can lead to pain, bruising, and weakness in the inner thigh and groin. These injuries may be treated with pain medication, physical therapy, and gentle exercises and stretches. A tight gracilis muscle can cause knee pain and overuse from activities like cycling or running can cause the muscle to stiffen and "pull" at the lower attachment point below the knee.
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The biceps femoris and its function
The biceps femoris is a muscle of the thigh located at the back, in the posterior compartment. It is part of the hamstring muscle group and arises proximally by two heads, the long head and the short head. The long head is considered part of the hamstring muscle group, while the short head is sometimes excluded from this characterisation as it only causes knee flexion and is activated by a separate nerve. The short head may even be absent altogether.
The biceps femoris muscle is important for knee flexion, internal and external rotation, and hip extension. When the knee is semi-flexed, the biceps femoris rotates the leg slightly outward. It is also important to note that avulsion of the biceps femoris tendon is common in sports that require explosive bending of the knee, such as sprinting. This can cause overstretching of the muscle.
The biceps femoris muscle runs from the ischial tuberosity to the proximal part of the fibula, crossing both the hip and knee joints. The long head originates from the medial facet of the ischial tuberosity, medial to the origin of the semimembranosus and superior to the origin of the adductor magnus muscle. The short head, meanwhile, originates quite distally from the long head, arising from the lateral lip of the inferior third of the linea aspera. The muscle fibres from the short head join the aponeurotic sheet, forming a round common tendon that inserts into the lateral aspect of the head of the fibula.
The biceps femoris is a clinically important muscle as it lies superficially in the posterolateral thigh, sitting deep only to the skin, fat, and fascial layers. It also provides protection to the sciatic nerve, which gives its terminal branch near the insertion of the biceps femoris.
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