What are Extensor Muscles?
Extensor muscles are a type of skeletal muscle that straightens or increases the angle between two bones or body parts at a joint, causing extension movements. They work by contracting, pulling on tendons attached to bones, and moving the connected bones away from each other. Examples include the triceps brachii, which extends the elbow, and the quadriceps femoris, responsible for extending the knee. Extensor muscles often work in pairs with flexor muscles, providing balance and controlled movement in various activities such as walking, standing, and lifting.
What is the Difference Between Flexor and Extensor Muscles?
The difference between flexor and extensor muscles lies in the way they function or the way they bring out a change in the associated body parts. Two types of skeletal muscles play crucial roles in the movement of joints in the human body. Flexor muscles are responsible for bending or decreasing the angle between two bones or body parts at a joint while extensor muscles are responsible for straightening or increasing the angle between two bones or body parts at a joint.
These muscles work in pairs. One example of a flexor-extensor pair is the pair of biceps and triceps in the arm that brings out movement at the elbow joint. In this article, we will read about the difference between flexor and extensor muscles and the similarities, functions of the extensor and flexor muscles, functional significance in daily activities, and injury risks to the flexor and extensors.
Table of Content
- Difference Between Flexor Muscles and Extensor Muscles
- What are Flexor Muscles?
- Functions of Flexor Muscles
- What are Extensor Muscles?
- Functions of Extensor Muscles
- Similarities Between Flexor and Extensor Muscles
- Functional Significance in Daily Activities