Question

multiple choice question

which describes a fusiform muscle?

thick in the middle and tapered at the ends
fascicles are aligned in a uniform fashion along long axis of muscle
feather-shaped, with fascicles inserting into tendon
forms ring around body opening

Explanation:

Define fusiform muscle shape

A fusiform muscle is a skeletal muscle shape characterized by being thick in the middle (the belly) and tapered at both ends. The biceps brachii is a classic example of this muscle architecture.

Analyze the given options

• Thick in the middle and tapered at the ends: This matches the definition of a fusiform muscle.
• Fascicles are aligned in a uniform fashion along long axis of muscle: This describes a parallel muscle (such as the rectus abdominis).
• Feather-shaped, with fascicles inserting into tendon: This describes a pennate muscle (such as unipennate, bipennate, or multipennate muscles like the rectus femoris).
• Forms ring around body opening: This describes a circular muscle or sphincter (such as the orbicularis oculi).

Identify the correct choice

Using the Muscle Fascicles concept, we know that the arrangement of fascicles determines the muscle's shape and functional characteristics. The option that correctly describes a fusiform muscle is "Thick in the middle and tapered at the ends".

Answer:

• Thick in the middle and tapered at the ends (Correct answer)
• Fascicles are aligned in a uniform fashion along long axis of muscle
• Feather-shaped, with fascicles inserting into tendon
• Forms ring around body opening