Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) Quiz: Skeletal Muscle Locations Attachments And Actions

Upper limb: Which muscle's contraction would be resisted by elbow extension testing?

Upper limb: Which muscle's long head crosses shoulder and assists shoulder extension?

Upper limb: Which muscle inserts on ulna and is the main elbow extensor?

Upper limb: Which muscle's contraction would be resisted by elbow flexion testing?

Upper limb: Which muscle forms the bulk of posterior upper arm for elbow extension?

A runner presents with pain on the anteromedial aspect of the tibia, just distal to the knee joint. The therapist identifies the pes anserinus as the site of tenderness. The client demonstrates weakness when simultaneously flexing the knee and internally rotating the tibia.

Which group of muscles inserts at the pes anserinus and performs these combined actions?

A client describes a feeling of their knee getting 'stuck' in full extension, particularly when standing. To begin bending the knee, they have to consciously shift their weight and slightly rotate their body. This indicates difficulty with the initial 'unlocking' of the tibiofemoral joint from a closed-chain position.

Which muscle, originating on the lateral condyle of the femur and inserting on the posterior tibia, is primarily responsible for this unlocking action?

A cyclist complains of a deep, aching pain in the buttock region that sometimes radiates down the posterior thigh, mimicking sciatic nerve pain. The pain is reproduced with resisted external rotation of the hip and with passive internal rotation. Palpation reveals a tender, taut band of muscle deep to the gluteus maximus, running from the sacrum to the greater trochanter.

Given its specific attachments and action, which of the deep lateral rotators is the most probable source of the client's symptoms?

During a strength assessment of the elbow flexors, a therapist observes that the client's force output is consistent whether the forearm is in a pronated, supinated, or neutral position. While the biceps brachii and brachioradialis efficiency changes with forearm rotation, one primary elbow flexor's performance remains unaffected.

Which muscle's consistent performance is being observed, due to its insertion on the ulna?

A client exhibits a 'Trendelenburg gait,' where the pelvis drops on the side of the leg that is swinging forward. This gait deviation is caused by weakness of the hip abductor muscles on the contralateral (stance) side, which are failing to stabilize the pelvis.

Which muscle, due to its primary role in hip abduction and pelvic stabilization, is most likely weak on the stance-leg side?

A client who sits for long periods has developed significant lumbar hyperlordosis and anterior pelvic tilt. During a Thomas test for hip flexor length, the client's right thigh lifts off the table when the left knee is drawn to the chest. This indicates hypertonicity of a hip flexor.

Which muscle is the primary target of this assessment, given its powerful hip flexion action and its direct attachments to the lumbar vertebrae and ilium?

A client reports pain at the base of the thumb on the radial side of the dorsal wrist. A therapist notes tenderness in the triangular depression known as the 'anatomical snuffbox', which becomes more prominent when the client extends and abducts their thumb.

Which combination of tendons forms the ulnar (medial) and radial (lateral) borders of this anatomical landmark?

When an individual performs a pull-up, their hands are fixed on the bar, and their body is lifted. This is a closed-chain kinetic exercise. The latissimus dorsi is a prime mover in this exercise, but its typical action is reversed.

In the context of a pull-up, what is the 'reverse action' of the latissimus dorsi?

A client is working to regain fine motor control of their hand after an injury. They are having specific difficulty abducting and adducting their fingers (spreading them apart and bringing them together), while their ability to make a fist remains strong.

This deficit in fine motor control points to dysfunction in which group of intrinsic hand muscles, which originate and insert entirely within the hand?

A therapist instructs a client to perform wrist movements. To achieve pure ulnar deviation without any accompanying flexion or extension, two muscles that cross the ulnar side of the wrist must contract simultaneously.

Which pair of muscles must act as synergists, with their flexion and extension forces neutralizing each other, to produce this pure motion?

A client presents with 'snapping hip syndrome', where a tendon is felt catching on the greater trochanter during hip flexion and extension. The therapist determines the issue involves the posterior fibers of a muscle that inserts into the iliotibial band and is a primary hip abductor.

While both the TFL and gluteus maximus insert on the IT band, which muscle's posterior fibers are known to contribute to this specific type of external snapping hip when tight?

A client presents with a unilateral head position characterized by lateral flexion to the left and rotation of the face to the right. The client reports waking up with this painful and fixed neck position, commonly known as acute torticollis.

Based on its unique unilateral actions of ipsilateral lateral flexion and contralateral rotation, which muscle is most likely in spasm?

To achieve the final degrees of shoulder abduction and flexion (full elevation of the arm), the greater tubercle of the humerus must clear the acromion process. This requires the glenohumeral joint to externally rotate as it abducts, a key component of scapulohumeral rhythm.

Which pair of muscles must work synergistically to produce the abduction and necessary external rotation of the humerus for impingement-free overhead movement?

During a dynamic assessment where a client performs a push-up against a wall, the therapist observes the medial border of the right scapula protruding posteriorly, a phenomenon known as 'scapular winging'. This indicates a failure of the muscle that protracts the scapula and holds it firmly against the thoracic wall.

Which muscle, based on its attachments from the upper ribs to the medial border of the scapula, is most likely weak?

A client with a history of recurrent ankle sprains has pronounced weakness when attempting to evert their foot against resistance. They also have difficulty controlling the foot during the push-off phase of gait. The therapist notes tenderness along the tendons that pass posterior to the lateral malleolus.

Weakness in which muscles, located in the lateral compartment of the leg, would cause this specific combination of impaired eversion and plantarflexion?