Where is the origin of a skeletal muscle typically located?

Where is the origin of a skeletal muscle typically located?

• A. Tendon at moving end
• B. Tendon at non-moving end
• C. Insertion
• D. Muscle belly

Answer: (B)

The origin is the end of the muscle that remains relatively fixed when the muscle contracts. It acts as the anchor point, so the tendon at this end is attached to the bone that doesn’t move much during the action. When the muscle shortens, it pulls on the other end (the insertion) to bring about movement at the joint. The muscle belly is simply the thick, contractile part between origin and insertion. For example, in elbow flexion, the origin is on the part of the arm that stays relatively still, while the insertion moves toward it. The insertion is attached to the moving bone, and the belly does the contracting work between the two attachments.

The origin is the end of the muscle that remains relatively fixed when the muscle contracts. It acts as the anchor point, so the tendon at this end is attached to the bone that doesn’t move much during the action. When the muscle shortens, it pulls on the other end (the insertion) to bring about movement at the joint. The muscle belly is simply the thick, contractile part between origin and insertion.

For example, in elbow flexion, the origin is on the part of the arm that stays relatively still, while the insertion moves toward it. The insertion is attached to the moving bone, and the belly does the contracting work between the two attachments.