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Muscle Action Quiz: Are You Ready to Challenge Yourself?

Ready for a muscle function quiz? Dive into this muscle anatomy challenge!

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Samuel MondragonUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for muscle action quiz on a golden yellow background

This muscle action quiz helps you learn and recall how origins, insertions, and movements work across key muscles. Use it to spot gaps before an exam; if you want more lower-limb practice, try the leg and hip quiz too.

Which movement is the primary action of the infraspinatus at the shoulder?
External rotation of the humerus
Shoulder adduction
Shoulder flexion
Internal rotation of the humerus
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Which muscle initiates the first 15 degrees of shoulder abduction?
Supraspinatus
Latissimus dorsi
Middle deltoid
Subscapularis
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Which muscle is the main extensor of the elbow?
Anconeus
Triceps brachii
Brachialis
Biceps brachii
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The triceps brachii inserts on the olecranon process of the ulna.
True
False
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Which muscle primarily everts the foot at the subtalar joint while also supporting the transverse arch via its insertion on the 1st metatarsal and medial cuneiform?
Tibialis posterior
Peroneus longus
Tibialis anterior
Flexor hallucis longus
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Which muscle dorsiflexes and inverts the foot?
Soleus
Peroneus brevis
Tibialis anterior
Gastrocnemius
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The long head of the biceps brachii originates from the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula.
True
False
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Which muscle is the primary hip flexor in open-chain movement?
Rectus femoris
Sartorius
Iliopsoas
Tensor fasciae latae
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Which muscle is the strongest supinator of the forearm when the elbow is flexed to 90 degrees?
Biceps brachii
Brachioradialis
Pronator teres
Supinator
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Which muscle plantarflexes the ankle most effectively with the knee flexed?
Gastrocnemius
Peroneus brevis
Soleus
Tibialis posterior
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Which muscle is essential for scapular protraction and upward rotation during overhead reach?
Rhomboid major
Levator scapulae
Serratus anterior
Pectoralis minor
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Which muscle flexes the metacarpophalangeal joints while extending the interphalangeal joints of digits 2-5?
Lumbricals
Flexor digitorum profundus
Extensor digitorum
Dorsal interossei
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Which muscle flexes the hip, flexes the knee, and laterally rotates the thigh (tailor's position)?
Gracilis
Biceps femoris
Tensor fasciae latae
Sartorius
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The deltoid originates solely from the acromion process.
True
False
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Which muscle best flexes the elbow when the forearm is in a neutral (thumb-up) position?
Triceps brachii
Brachioradialis
Biceps brachii
Pronator quadratus
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Which pair of muscles primarily elevates the ribs during quiet inspiration?
Internal intercostals (interosseous part) and transversus thoracis
Internal oblique and rectus abdominis
Serratus posterior inferior and latissimus dorsi
External intercostals and diaphragm
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The flexor carpi ulnaris inserts on the pisiform, hook of hamate, and base of the 5th metacarpal via the pisohamate and pisometacarpal ligaments.
True
False
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The latissimus dorsi tendon inserts on the floor of the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus.
False
True
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Which muscle pair works synergistically to upwardly rotate the scapula during full shoulder abduction?
Pectoralis minor and rhomboids
Latissimus dorsi and teres major
Rhomboids and levator scapulae
Upper and lower trapezius
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Which statement best describes scapulohumeral rhythm during full shoulder abduction to about 180 degrees?
1:1 ratio of glenohumeral to scapulothoracic motion
No scapular motion occurs until 120 degrees
3:1 ratio of scapulothoracic to glenohumeral motion
2:1 ratio of glenohumeral to scapulothoracic motion
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify key muscle actions -

    Clearly pinpoint the primary movements of major muscle groups through the muscle action quiz and muscle anatomy quiz format.

  2. Describe muscle origins and insertions -

    Detail the specific attachment points of muscles to bones to understand how muscle function drives movement.

  3. Analyze biomechanical movement patterns -

    Break down the roles muscles play during different exercises in this muscle function quiz to enhance your understanding of mechanics.

  4. Differentiate between synergists and antagonists -

    Recognize how muscles work together and oppose each other to produce smooth and controlled motion in a muscular system quiz context.

  5. Apply knowledge to practical scenarios -

    Use quiz insights to predict muscle involvement in everyday movements and exercise routines effectively.

  6. Evaluate muscle group coordination -

    Assess how different muscle groups interact during complex actions to improve biomechanics and injury prevention strategies.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins and Insertions -

    The origin is the stable attachment site, while the insertion moves toward it; for example, the biceps brachii originates on the scapula and inserts on the radial tuberosity (Gray's Anatomy). Remember the mnemonic "O-I: Origin Immobile" to avoid mixing them up. This foundational concept underpins every muscle action quiz question.

  2. Muscle Action Types -

    Muscles can contract concentrically (shortening), eccentrically (lengthening under load), or isometrically (static tension) (Journal of Biomechanics). A quick formula to estimate concentric torque is τ = F × r, where F is force and r is the moment arm. Use "C-E-I" (Cats Eat Ice cream) to recall Concentric, Eccentric, Isometric.

  3. Lever Systems in the Body -

    The human musculoskeletal system uses first-, second-, and third-class levers to amplify force or speed (Kinesiology textbooks). First-class levers (like the head nod) follow F-A-R; second-class levers (calf raises) are A-R-F; third-class levers (elbow flexion) are A-F-R. A handy trick: "FAR, ARF, AFR" corresponds to Force, Axis, Resistance order.

  4. Sliding Filament Mechanism -

    The cross-bridge cycle involves myosin heads pulling actin filaments, powered by ATP hydrolysis (ATP + H₂O → ADP + Pi + energy) as detailed in Molecular Biology of the Cell. Visualize it like a ratchet: ATP binds, releases, and rebinds to slide filaments. This core process explains how muscle contraction generates movement.

  5. Prime Movers, Antagonists, Synergists -

    During elbow flexion, the biceps brachii acts as the prime mover, the triceps brachii is the antagonist, and the brachialis acts as a synergist stabilizing the action (American College of Sports Medicine). Think "P-A-S" - the Prime mover Acts, while its Antagonist Slows, and the Synergist Supports. Identifying these roles is essential for any muscle groups quiz.

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