Muscles Named For Fiber Direction

Question 1

Oblique means

Answer 1

Slanted or at an angle.
Ex: external oblique and internal oblique muscles have a slanted alignment.

Question 2

Rectus means

Answer 2

In straight alignment with the vertical axis of the body. Ex: the Rectus abdominis and Rectus femorus have straight alignment.

Question 3

A sphincter is

Answer 3

A ring-like muscle that tightly constricts the opening of a passageway. A sphincter is named for the passage involved.
Ex:anal sphincter closes the anus.

Question 4

Transverse means

Answer 4

In a crosswise direction.
Ex: transverse abdominis muscle in the abdomen, which has a crosswise alignment.