5 Steps To Remember Muscle Origins and Insertions

In today’s video training, you’ll learn how to remember muscle origins and insertions ready for your Level 2 or Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology Exam

You’ll discover:

  • What do you need to know about muscles for Level 2 and Level 3?
  • 11 minute Video Training outlining how to learn muscles
  • 5 Steps To Remember Muscle Origins and Insertions
  • Test your knowledge with 3 Mock Questions and answers
  • Use our Muscle Flashcards to remember the muscle origins and insertions

What do you need to know about muscles for Level 2 and Level 3?

There are 37 muscles to learn for the Level 2 anatomy and physiology exam, and 50 to learn for the Level 3 anatomy and physiology exam.

You need to know a few key characteristics of each muscle in preparation for your Level 2 or 3 Anatomy and Physiology Exam

  • the name of all muscles in the group 
  • their locations
  • the origins and insertions
  •  joint actions and what exercises target the muscles

This is a lot of information to remember if you are trying to remember it word for word. That’s why we put together a simple 5 step process that you can follow to remember muscle origins and insertions.

Watch: 5 Steps To Remember Muscle Origin and Insertions

5 Steps To Remember Muscle Origins and Insertions

5 Steps To Remember Muscle Origin and Insertions

This 5 step strategy will simplify and structure how you are learning the key muscle information. This is not only great for your exam, but also when planning and working with clients.

Step 1: Take Time

Schedule 15 minute chunks spread throughout your week. Make space in your diary for one slot per muscle, rather than trying to learn everything in one revision sitting.

Step 2: Image and Name

Use a clear image, like those in our L2/3 Flashcards, of the muscle you are learning. Ensure the name is clearly printed on the image to make it easy to commit to your visual memory.

Look at the image and close your eyes to see if you can remember the image and name together.

Here’s an example of the Rectus Femoris from our Muscle Memory Sprint Flashcards:

Yes – let me see the L2 Flashcards or L3 Flashcards

Step 3: Your Own Words

In your own words describe the location of the muscle and Origins and Insertions.

So for Rectus Femoris, I might say

“its one of the quadriceps in the front of the leg. It orignates on the front of the pelvis and inserts below the knee”

Then double check the “official” terminology of the origin and insertion so you know for sure.

Rectus Femoris – Quadricep

  • Origin: Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine (AIIS)
  • Insertion: Anterior Upper Tibia via Patella
  • Joints Crossed: Hip and Knee
  • Joint Action (concentric phase): Hip Flexion and Knee Extension

Step 4: Fibre Direction

Look at the direction of the muscle fibre, as this will help you understand the joint action that occurs when the muscle concentrically contracts.

For example, the muscle fibre direction on the Rectus Femoris is long and runs from origin to insertion.

So as the muscle shortens you can imagine the insertion being drawn closer to the origin.

Step 5: Joint Actions

Visualize the muscle concentrically contracting (fibres getting shorter) and the name of the joint action.

In my example this would be Knee Extension and Hip Flexion

Then pick an exercise that works this muscle. For example, To target the Rectus femoris I could choose the Leg Extension machine.

By repeatedly doing this exercise you can feel the muscle contracting and relaxing, which helps you to commit it to memory.

Test your knowledge with 3 Mock Questions

Look at the Muscle Anatomy and Physiology Mock questions below and jot down your answer on scrap paper or as a note in your phone.

Then scroll down to reveal the answers.

1) Which of the following inserts on the Tibia?

A. Biceps Brachialis
B. Rectus Femoris
C. Biceps Femoris
D. Pectoralis Major

2) Which joint action occurs when the Rectus Abdominus contracts concentrically?

A. Knee Flexion
B. Hip Flexion
C. Spinal Flexion
D. Spinal Extension

3) Which muscle crosses both the ankle and knee?

A. Rectus Femoris
B. Sartorius
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Anterior Tibialis

Answers:

Q1: Answer = B
Q2: Answer = C
Q3: Answer =
C

If you want more mock questions like this, then you can download more Free Mock Questions: DOWNLOAD NOW

How to learn orgins and insertions?

Learn, Revise & Remember All 50 Muscles In The Level 3 Anatomy & Physiology Exam.

(and the BEST part…You can do all this in as little as 5-minutes a day)

Each flashcard gives you a clear image and six clear muscle facts:

  •  Name and Location
  •  Origin and Insertions
  •  Muscle Actions
  •  Joints Crossed
  •  Primary Planes Of Movement
  •  Exercise Examples

Dedicated to More

Hayley “Remember Muscle Origins and Insertions” Bergman

Parallel Coaching

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