Language Arts in Physical Education:

Naming of Muscles

 

   The quadriceps femoris muscle (Figure 1) is one of the many muscles in the body whose name is derived from the Latin language. We use this muscle in the performance of a squat, and to jump up and down. It is responsible for extending, or straightening the leg. Upon analysis of its name, we find that it actually consists of three Latin words. For example, the word "femoris" tells us the bone over which this muscle group lies (i.e., the femur); and the word “quad” tells us the number of individual muscles or, heads (“ceps”) of muscles that are contained within the muscle group.

 

quadriceps femoris = quad + ceps + femur

"quad" = "four"

"ceps" = "heads"

“femoris” = femur

 

   Thus, the Latin words after which the muscle is named tells us that the quadriceps femoris muscle consists of a total of four individual muscles, or heads of muscles, as highlighted in the image below, and overlies the femur bone.

 

Figure 1: Illustration of the quadriceps femoris muscle group with its four heads highlighted

 

HOMEWORK QUESTION:

 

1. Name another muscle derived from the Latin language, or any other language not including English.

 

 

ss-12/20/13