antagonistic muscles

Click a letter for the index

Or search the encyclopaedia:

 

 

Go

 

Click image to enlarge
In the body, a pair of muscles working together to allow coordinated movement of the skeletal joints. Muscles can only exert a force and do work by contracting. An example is the antagonistic pair of muscles used in bending and straightening the arm. To bend the arm requires one set of muscles – the biceps – to contract, while another set – the triceps – relaxes. If the arm is to be straightened, the reverse happens. The individual components of antagonistic pairs can be classified into extensors (muscles that straighten a limb) and flexors (muscles that bend a limb).

The flag's colours date back to the 14th century. The bicolour is identical to that of Indonesia except in its ratio. Effective date: 4 April 1881. >>