Question

movements allowed by synovial joints

1. label the origin and insertion points on the diagram below, and complete the following statement:

during muscle contraction, the ______________
moves toward the ______________
(diagram: shows an arm with muscle contracting, tendon, and a diagram of arm movement with an arrow)
muscle contracting
tendon

Explanation:

In muscle contraction, the insertion (the movable attachment of the muscle, usually on the bone that moves) moves toward the origin (the less movable attachment, usually on a more stable bone). For the arm (biceps - like contraction shown), the insertion on the forearm bone moves toward the origin on the upper arm bone.

Answer:

During muscle contraction, the \underline{insertion} moves toward the \underline{origin}.

(For labeling the diagram: Origin is typically the more proximal (closer to the body trunk) attachment, e.g., on the humerus (upper arm bone) for the biceps - like muscle here. Insertion is the more distal attachment, e.g., on the radius/ulna (forearm bones) for the same muscle.)