Athena Vale
Studying cat muscles can be a complex but fascinating topic. Cat anatomy is an important area of study for artists, vets, and students of animal anatomy. The muscles of a cat are quite distinct, with many major muscles found in the chest and abdomen, as well as the lower limbs, including the sartorius, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius. The brachialis muscle, for example, has two heads, one superficial and one deep, with the superficial head forming the main bulk of the muscle. To identify and study cat muscles effectively, flashcards and quizzes are popular tools, helping to reinforce learning and improve retention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brachialis Muscle | Consists of 2 heads, superficial and deep |
| Latissimus Dorsi | T7-L5 vertebrae spinous process, the iliac crest of the sacrum, the thoracolumbar fascia, the inferior angle of scapula, and the lower 3-4 ribs |
| Muscle Origin | Spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae 7-12, the thoracolumbar fascia, the iliac crest, and the lower ribs |
| Lower Limbs | Sartorius, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior/soleus |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle identification
The temporalis muscle is a large mass of mandibular muscle found in the skull, specifically in the zygomatic arch and temporal fossa. It aids in elevating the jaw and is covered by a tough, shiny fascia. The two main integumental muscles in cats are the platysma and the cutaneous maximus. The cutaneous maximus covers the dorsal region, enabling the cat to shake its skin, while the platysma covers the neck, allowing the cat to stretch the skin over the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles.
The deltoid muscles in cats consist of two primary muscles: the acromiodeltoid and the spinodeltoid. The acromiodeltoid is the shorter of the two and lies lateral to the clavodeltoid, originating at the acromion process and inserting at the deltoid ridge. The spinodeltoid is stout and short, running along the lower border of the scapula and through the upper forelimb. In addition, the clavobrachialis, while not anatomically a deltoid, is now considered one to conform to human anatomy standards and is referred to as the clavodeltoid.
The xiphihumeralis is a thin, flat, and long strip of pectoral muscle found in felines. It originates from the xiphoid process of the sternum and inserts into the humerus. This muscle is not present in humans. The trapezius muscles are another important group, with the acromiotrapezius being the middle trapezius muscle. It covers the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the scapula, originating from the neural spines of the cervical vertebrae.
The auricular muscles play a crucial role in a cat's ability to move its ears independently. Each ear comprises fifteen muscles, including the rostral, caudal, dorsal, and ventral auricular muscles. These muscles enable cats to lay back their ears when angry or frightened and to rotate their ears independently of their bodies.
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Muscle structure
The muscular system is one of the largest systems in a cat's body, with skeletal muscles accounting for about half of the animal's weight. The cat's muscle system is highly evolved, enabling it to catch prey and escape from potential threats with swift and agile movements. The cat's vertebrae are held by muscles, contributing to its elasticity and ability to elongate and contract its back.
Skeletal muscles, also called striated muscles, are attached to bones, other muscles, and skin. They are predominantly found in the skeleton and are voluntary muscles. These muscles are involved in walking, eating, tail motion, and eye movement. The triceps, biceps, gluteal muscles, deltoids, and trapezius are some of the commonly known skeletal muscles in cats. The deltoid muscles lie just lateral to the trapezius muscles, originating from several fibers spanning the clavicle and scapula and converging to insert at the humerus. There are two deltoids in the cat: the acromiodeltoid and the spinodeltoid. The acromiodeltoid is the shortest of the deltoid muscles and can be observed by lifting or reflecting the clavodeltoid in huskier cats.
Smooth muscles, on the other hand, are found within the internal organs such as the intestines, stomach, and bladder. They are involuntary muscles, controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Parts of the walls of hollow internal organs, such as the heart, stomach, and intestines, and blood vessels are composed of smooth muscles. These muscles help maintain bladder control and propel food through the bowel. They also aid in generating heat through shivering.
Voluntary muscles can contract and pull but cannot push, so they work in pairs of flexors and extensors. Extensor muscles straighten the limbs and attach to the bones, acting as levers. The flexor muscles bend the joints to pick up the limb, and their partner extensor muscles contract to bring the limb back down. Abductor muscles move the limbs away from the body's midline, while adductor muscles move the limbs toward the midline.
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Muscle attachments
To study cat muscles and their attachments, it is good to start by understanding the different muscle types and their functions. Cats have smooth (non-striated), cardiac, and voluntary (striated) muscles, each with distinct characteristics and roles. Smooth muscles, for instance, are involuntary and control internal body systems such as digestion and circulation. Voluntary muscles, on the other hand, are attached to bones by connective tissue tendons. When these muscles contract, they pull on the tendons, which then pull on the bones, resulting in limb movement.
When studying muscle attachments, it is beneficial to visualise them on a bare skeleton. Having access to thoracic limb bones (scapula, humerus, radius, and fibula) during dissection can aid in understanding how muscles attach and function. Additionally, thinking in terms of muscle groups is helpful, as muscles within a group tend to share similar actions and innervation. For example, the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle, primarily functions to support body weight and is often renamed ulnaris lateralis for this reason.
The deltoid muscles in cats, consisting of the acromiodeltoid, spinodeltoid, and clavobrachialis (clavodeltoid), originate from the clavicle and scapula and insert at the humerus. The acromiodeltoid, being the shortest deltoid, originates at the acromion process and inserts at the deltoid ridge. The platysma and cutaneous maximus are the two main integumental muscles in cats. The cutaneous maximus covers the dorsal region, enabling skin-shaking, while the platysma covers the neck, allowing skin stretching over the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles.
The temporalis, a large mass of mandibular muscle, lies dorsal to the zygomatic arch and fills the temporal fossa of the skull. It originates from the side of the skull and inserts into the coronoid process of the mandible, aiding in elevating the jaw. The xiphihumeralis, a thin, flat, and long strip of pectoral muscle, originates from the xiphoid process of the sternum and inserts into the humerus. This muscle is found in felines but not in humans.
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Muscle function
The primary function of muscles in cats is to enable movement. They also serve to stabilise joints, generate heat through shivering, and maintain continence of the bladder and bowel.
Voluntary muscles can contract and pull, but they cannot push, so they work in pairs of flexors and extensors. Flexor muscles bend the joints and lift the limbs, while extensor muscles straighten the limbs and bring them back down. Abductor muscles move the limbs away from the body, while adductor muscles move the limbs towards the body.
Cats have a highly evolved muscle system that allows them to produce swift and agile movements, enabling them to catch prey and escape potential threats. Their vertebrae are held by muscles, contributing to their elasticity and ability to elongate and contract their backs. Their forelimbs are attached to the shoulders by free-floating clavicle bones, allowing them to fit their bodies into tight spaces. Their spines are highly flexible, with a special elastic cushioning on the disks, contributing to their speed and grace.
The temporalis muscle, a mass of mandibular muscle, elevates the cat's jaw. The platysma and cutaneous maximus are the two main integumental muscles of a cat. The cutaneous maximus covers the dorsal region and allows the cat to shake its skin, while the platysma covers the neck and allows the cat to stretch the skin over the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles.
Smooth muscles are found within the internal organs, including the intestines, stomach, and bladder. They help propel food through the bowel and maintain bladder control.
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Comparative anatomy
To study the anatomy of cat muscles, a comparative approach can be taken by examining the similarities and differences between cat muscles and those of other animals, particularly mammals. This can help in understanding the unique characteristics of cat muscles and how they contribute to the animal's overall anatomy, behaviour, and adaptations.
One key area of comparison is the vertebral column, which plays a significant role in supporting and connecting the cat's muscles. Cats typically have seven cervical vertebrae, like most mammals, but differ in the number of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. They have thirteen thoracic vertebrae, compared to twelve in humans, and seven lumbar vertebrae, while humans have five. These additional lumbar and thoracic vertebrae contribute to the cat's exceptional spinal mobility and flexibility, allowing them to make quick movements and enhancing their agility.
The structure of the cat's vertebrae and the associated muscles also differ from those of humans. In cats, the vertebrae are held by muscles rather than ligaments, as seen in humans. This muscular arrangement provides cats with greater elasticity and the ability to elongate and contract their backs through upward curving or vertebral line oscillation. The vertebrae themselves have elastic discs, which act as cushioning for jump landings, further enabling their agility and grace.
The cat's skull also presents an interesting comparison. It is characterised by large eye sockets and a robust jaw, a feature that sets it apart from other mammals. Additionally, domestic cats have narrowly spaced canine teeth, which are adapted for hunting small rodents. This dental feature distinguishes them from other felines.
Another aspect of comparative anatomy is the study of muscle groups and their functions. Cats possess a unique muscle structure in their hindlimbs, enabling them to absorb shock and energy during jumps, aiding in weight-bearing, and providing steering control. This contributes to their remarkable ability to jump from great heights without sustaining serious injuries. The deltoid muscles in cats, including the acromiodeltoid and spinodeltoid, originate from fibres spanning the clavicle and scapula, with the acromiodeltoid being the shortest of the two.
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Frequently asked questions
Some muscles found in cats include the sartorius, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and tibialis anterior.
Flashcards are a popular resource for studying cat muscles, with platforms like Cram.com and Quizlet.com offering pre-made sets. You can also create your own flashcards for free on websites like Cram.com and StudyBlue.com.
The proximal origin of the muscle is often used as a landmark and is found on the spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae 7-12, the thoracolumbar fascia, the iliac crest, and the lower ribs.
While there are some similarities between cat and human muscle structures, there are also significant differences. For example, the major muscles found in the chest and abdomen of humans are also present in fetal pigs, but their arrangement differs from that of cats.
