Biarticular muscle

Biarticular Muscle

A biarticular muscle is a type of muscle that crosses two joints. These muscles are involved in complex movements and postures, and they play a crucial role in the human locomotion system.

Illustration of a biarticular muscle crossing two joints

Function

Biarticular muscles have the unique ability to cause or control motion at two different joints. This allows for more complex movements and can increase the efficiency of certain actions. For example, the hamstring muscles, which are biarticular, allow for both hip extension and knee flexion.

Examples

Some examples of biarticular muscles in the human body include:

• Rectus femoris: This muscle is part of the quadriceps group and crosses both the hip and knee joints.
• Hamstring: This group of three muscles crosses both the hip and knee joints.
• Biceps brachii: This muscle crosses both the shoulder and elbow joints.

Clinical significance

Due to their unique structure and function, biarticular muscles are often involved in sports injuries. For example, the hamstring muscles are commonly injured in sports that involve running and jumping. Understanding the function of these muscles can help in the prevention and treatment of such injuries.

See also

• Monoarticular muscle
• Multiarticular muscle