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Axial muscles are an important part of the musculoskeletal system, which also includes nerves, tendons, connective tissue, bones, and blood vessels. These muscles originate on the axial skeleton, specifically the bones in the head, neck, and core of the body. They play a crucial role in various functions, such as swallowing, speech, and facial expressions. Axial muscles also provide stability to the trunk and counteract the forces acting on the body, including gravitational forces. In addition, they are involved in locomotion and posture control, especially in tetrapods with limbs. The axial muscles of the head, neck, and back include specific muscle groups like the transversospinales, multifidus, and scalene muscles, each contributing to different movements and functions. Understanding the importance of axial muscles helps us comprehend the complex interplay between different body systems for overall stability and movement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Axial muscles are the muscles of the trunk, head, tail, and eyeballs. |
| Function | Axial muscles are responsible for stabilising the trunk, neck, and head. They also facilitate swallowing, speech, and facial expressions. |
| Types | Axial muscles include the transversospinales, semispinalis, multifidus, segmental, and scalene muscles. |
| Sub-types | The semispinalis muscles include the semispinalis capitis, cervicis, and thoracis. |
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What You'll Learn
Axial muscles are important for swallowing and speech
Axial muscles originate on the axial skeleton, which includes the bones in the head, neck, and core of the body. The muscles of the head and neck are all axial, and they play a crucial role in swallowing and speech.
The muscles of the anterior neck facilitate swallowing and speech by controlling the positions of the larynx (voice box) and the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone is a horseshoe-shaped bone that acts as a solid foundation for tongue movement. The suprahyoid muscles, originating from above the hyoid bone in the chin region, pull up on the hyoid bone and the larynx during swallowing. The infrahyoid muscles, located below the hyoid bone in the lower neck, pull down. These muscles include the digastric muscle, which elevates the hyoid bone and larynx while depressing the mandible. The stylohyoid muscle moves the hyoid bone posteriorly, raising the larynx, while the mylohyoid muscle lifts the hyoid bone and helps press the tongue to the top of the mouth. The geniohyoid depresses the mandible and also pulls the hyoid bone forward.
The tongue is essential for swallowing, also known as deglutition, and speech. Tongue muscles can be extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic tongue muscles insert into the tongue from outside origins, allowing the tongue to move in different directions. Intrinsic tongue muscles, on the other hand, originate within the tongue and enable it to change shape, such as curling or flattening. The genioglossus, for example, originates on the mandible and allows the tongue to move downward and forward. The styloglossus, palatoglossus, and hyoglossus are other tongue muscles that contribute to tongue movement and positioning, which are vital for swallowing and speech.
The masseter and temporalis muscles are responsible for elevating and closing the jaw, breaking food into smaller pieces. The medial and lateral pterygoid muscles assist in chewing and moving food within the mouth. The tongue also plays a role in mastication, further emphasizing its importance in the swallowing process.
In summary, the axial muscles of the head and neck, particularly those in the anterior neck and tongue, are crucial for swallowing and speech. They work together to control the positions of the larynx and hyoid bone, enabling complex speech patterns and the coordinated movement of food from the mouth to the stomach.
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They help to stabilise the vertebral column
The axial skeletal system, which includes the vertebral column, is responsible for supporting the head and transferring the weight of the trunk and abdomen to the legs. The vertebral column is composed of 33 vertebrae, providing attachment sites for multiple muscles. These muscles are divided into three groups: extrinsic, superficial, and intermediate.
The superficial layer consists primarily of the splenius muscles, which include the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis. These muscles are responsible for head and cervical spine movements, including extension, rotation, and lateral bending. The intermediate layer includes the erector spinae muscles, which are composed of three long, column-like muscles: the iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis. These muscles run almost the entire length of the spine and are crucial for maintaining posture and extending the vertebral column.
The deep layer of intrinsic back muscles includes the transversospinalis muscles, such as the semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores. These shorter muscles play a vital role in stabilising the spine, enabling controlled rotation and bending of the vertebral column. Additionally, the deepest layer consists of minor deep muscles like the interspinales and intertransversarii, which contribute to spinal stability and localised movements.
The deep back muscles, including the semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores, are essential for stabilising individual vertebrae during localised movements. They help maintain posture and distribute the body's weight, preventing excessive force on the vertebral discs. These muscles work together to provide support and facilitate movements of the head, neck, and trunk. Their main functions include flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and axial rotation of the vertebral column.
In summary, the axial muscles, particularly the deep layer of intrinsic back muscles, play a crucial role in stabilising the vertebral column. They enable controlled movements, maintain posture, and distribute weight, ensuring the vertebral column functions effectively and maintains its structural integrity.
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Axial muscles are essential for facial expressions
The human face is composed of around 20 to 30 muscles on each side, and these muscles are essential for facial expressions. Facial muscles, also called craniofacial muscles, are flat skeletal muscles that lie underneath the skin of the face and scalp. They originate from the bones or fibrous structures of the skull and radiate to insert into the skin.
The facial muscles are categorised into several groups based on their location and function. The auricular muscles are around the ears, the buccolabial muscles are in and around the mouth, and the orbital group of muscles are associated with the eye socket. These muscles control the movements of the eyelids, protecting the cornea from damage. The nasal muscles of facial expression are responsible for the movements of the nose and nostrils.
The buccolabial muscles, for instance, control the shape and movements of the mouth and lips. The orbicularis oris is a circular muscle that moves the lips, allowing for expressions such as pouting, puckering, and twisting. The buccinator muscle forms the muscular basis of the cheek, filling the interval between the maxilla and mandible, and allows for actions such as whistling, blowing, and sucking. The levator labii superioris assists other buccolabial muscles to elevate and evert the upper lip, exposing the teeth and deepening nasolabial lines, which is significant in making expressions such as smiling and grinning.
The frontalis muscle lifts the eyebrows, and the corrugator supercilii is the prime mover of the eyebrows, allowing for expressions of surprise and frowning. The procerus is a frown muscle that pulls the eyebrows downward to produce transverse wrinkles over the nose. The orbicularis oculi is a circular muscle that closes the eye, and the occipitofrontalis muscle moves the scalp and eyebrows. These muscles are essential for facial expressions such as smiling, frowning, and raising eyebrows in surprise.
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They are key to locomotion in vertebrates
Axial muscles are essential for locomotion in vertebrates. They are involved in the movement and stabilisation of the vertebral column, head, neck, and back. The axial musculoskeletal system acts as the primary propulsive engine of the vertebrate body, enabling movement and maintaining posture.
The axial skeleton, which includes the bones of the head, neck, and core of the body, serves as the origin of axial muscles. These muscles work in conjunction with the appendicular muscles, which are associated with the bones of the limbs. Together, they facilitate complex movements and maintain balance.
In the context of vertebrate evolution, the axial-based locomotion system underwent significant transformations with the evolution of extremities in tetrapods. As limbs evolved and vertebrates transitioned to land, axial muscles took on the additional role of stabilising the trunk against gravitational forces and the inertial forces of limb movements. This stabilisation is particularly crucial in tetrapods with a sprawled limb posture, where larger extrinsic limb muscle forces are at play.
The axial muscles of the head, neck, and back play a crucial role in locomotion. For example, the sternocleidomastoid muscle laterally flexes and rotates the head, while the scalene muscles contribute to deep inhalation and head movements. The back muscles, such as the multifidus muscle of the lumbar region, help extend and laterally flex the vertebral column, providing stability and enabling movement.
The axial system is not only important for locomotion but also for the static and dynamic control of body posture in vertebrates. It provides the foundation for the mechanical work of the appendicular system, allowing for the coordination of movements and the maintenance of balance during locomotion.
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Axial muscles provide stability to the trunk
Axial muscles are an important part of the musculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, tendons, connective tissue, bones, and blood vessels. These muscles originate on the axial skeleton, which includes the bones in the head, neck, and core of the body.
The axial muscles include the muscles of the tail, trunk, and eyeballs, as well as a group of muscles called hypobranchial muscles. In particular, the axial muscles of the trunk play a crucial role in providing stability and balance to the body.
The trunk, or torso, is the central part of the body, consisting of the neck, back, and abdomen. The axial muscles of the trunk work to stabilize the vertebral column and support the spine. This includes muscle groups such as the transversospinales, multifidus, interspinales, and intertransversarii. These muscles help to extend, flex, and rotate the vertebral column, ensuring stability and a full range of motion.
Additionally, the axial muscles of the trunk help to counteract the forces acting on the body, such as inertial and extrinsic limb muscle forces, as well as gravitational forces. This is especially important for maintaining balance and posture during movement. For example, in tetrapods with a sprawled limb posture, the axial muscles dynamically stabilize the trunk against the large extrinsic limb muscle forces in the horizontal plane.
The stability provided by the axial muscles of the trunk is essential for maintaining posture, balance, and overall body control. Without these muscles, the body would lack the necessary support to counterbalance the forces acting on it, leading to instability and difficulty in performing even basic movements.
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Frequently asked questions
Axial muscles are the muscles of the trunk and head, as opposed to the appendicular muscles of the arms and legs.
Examples of axial muscles include the sternocleidomastoid, which rotates the head, the orbicularis oculi, which closes the eye, and the scalene muscles, which flex and rotate the head and contribute to deep inhalation.
The axial musculoskeletal system is the plesiomorphic locomotor engine of the vertebrate body, playing a central role in locomotion. It is responsible for the static and dynamic control of body posture in all craniates.
Axial muscles help to stabilise the trunk and counteract the forces acting on it, such as gravitational forces and inertial and extrinsic limb muscle forces.
Axial muscles include the muscles of the eyeballs, which move the eyes in different directions. Additionally, the facial axial muscles create facial movements and expressions by pulling on the skin, rather than acting on the skeleton.
