Some muscles have multiple origins. As a result, the number of origins is often used in the muscle's name. Some common names: the biceps brachii and triceps brachii. The term bi is of Latin origin and refers to "two" while ceps, also of Latin origin, refers to "head." Thus this muscle has two heads that attach to two different origins. How many heads and origins would thetriceps brachii have?

7. Relation of the Muscle to the Bone:

Not only is a muscle sometimes named because of the bone to which it attaches, but the name may be even more detailed to describe where its position is in relation to the bone or body part. Below are given some Latin terms and prefixes that describe position.

supra (L: above or over)
infra (L: below or beneath)
sub (L: below or under)
lateralis (L: the side)
medialis (L: the middle)
inter (L: between or among)
external (L: outer)
internal (L: inner)
superior (L: above or over)
inferior (L: underneath)
dorsi (L: the back)
anterior (L: in front of)

Examples of muscles that contain some of the above terms include: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, intercostals, external and internal obliques, superior and inferior rectus muscles of the eye.