Frog Muscles

FROG MUSCLES
15. Dorsal muscles of the frog thigh
Lab-10 23
This image shows several of the major muscles on the dorsal surface of the frog thigh. The
gluteus muscle (1), which originates on the ilium and inserts on the femur, rotates the
thigh. The piriformis (2) is a small muscle located near the opening of the cloaca. The
muscle originates on the urostyle, inserts on the femur and functions to extend and rotate
the thigh. As the name indicates, the triceps femoris (3) is divided into three parts that
originate and insert on different skeletal elements. All function, however, to flex the thigh
and extend the shank. The semimembranosus (4), which originates on the ischium and
pubis and inserts on the tibiofibula, extends the thigh and flexes the shank. The biceps
femoris (5) found between the triceps femoris and semimembranosus originates on the
ilium and inserts on the tibiofibula and femur. The biceps femoris extends and adducts the
thigh and flexes the shank. Also shown on the image are the two major muscles of dorsal
surface of the frog shank, the gastrocnemius (6) and peroneus (7).
16. Ventral muscles of the frog thigh 1

Lab-10 24
This image shows the major muscles of the ventral surface of the frog thigh. The sartorius
(1) is a long, strap-shaped muscle that covers the anterior surface of the thigh. It originates
on the pubis, inserts on the tibiofibula and acts to flex the thigh and shank. The sartorius
(2) of the right leg is shown with its distal end cut and deflected to make it more visible.
The adductor longus (3), which originates on the pubis and inserts on the femur, is a thin,
strap-shaped muscle beneath the sartorius. Note: This muscle of the right leg has also
been cut at its distal end and deflected to make it more visible. As the name implies, the
adductor longus functions to adduct the thigh. The adductor magnus (4), which also
adducts the thigh, is a large muscle seen as a triangle near the groin when the sartorius is
in place. The muscle originates on the ischium and pubis and inserts on the femur. The
semitendinosus (5) is a deep muscle with two heads that lies under and between the
gracilis major and adductor magnus. The muscle originates on the ischium, inserts on the
tibiofibula. The semitendinosus extends and adducts the thigh and flexes the knee. The
gracilis major (6) is a large muscle that partly covers adductor magnus. It originates on the
pubis, inserts on the tibiofibula and acts to extend the thigh and flex the shank.
17. Ventral muscles of the frog thigh 2

Lab-10 25
This image shows a close-up view of some of the major muscles of the ventral surface of
the frog thigh seen on the previous page. Note again the sartorius (1) muscle that covers
the anterior surface of the thigh, the adductor magnus (2) and gracilis major (3). Not seen
on the previous page is the gracilis minor (4), a thin, strap-shaped muscle that covers the
posterior margin of the thigh. This muscle has the same origin, insertion and action as the
larger gracilis major, that is, it originates on the pubis, inserts on the tibiofibula and acts to
extend the thigh and flex the shank.
18. Dorsal muscles of the frog shank

Lab-10 26
This image shows two of the major muscles found on the frog shank. The large
gastrocnemius (1), the calf muscle that is located on the medial surface of the shank,
originates on the femur, inserts on the Achilles tendon and flexes the shank and foot. The
peroneus (2), which is located lateral to the gastrocnemius, also originates on the femur
but inserts on the distal end of the tibiofibula. The peroneus extends the shank and foot.
19. Ventral muscles of the frog shank

Lab-10 27
This image shows a ventral view of some of the other major muscles of the frog shank.
Once again note the large gastrocnemius (1) that covers much of the posterior surface of
the shank. Between the gastrocnemius and the tibiofibula (2) is the tibialis posticus (3), a
small muscle tightly attached to the posterior surface of the tibiofibula. This muscle
originates on the tibiofibula, inserts on the tarsal bones and flexes the foot. The extensor
cruris (4) is a short muscle found tightly attached to the upper two thirds of the tibiofibula.
It originates on the femur, inserts on the tibiofibula and extends the shank. The tibialis
anticus longus (5) is a small muscle with two bellies that lies anterior to the tibiofibula. It
originates on the femur and inserts on the tarsal bones. The tibialis anticus longus lifts the
foot and flexes the ankle.
SOURCE: https://www.uwlax.edu/biology/zoo-lab/lab-10--tetrapod-vertebrates/
MUSCLES OF THE HEAD
2. pterygoideus 3. temporal 4. masseter

5. depressor mandibularis 6. dorsalis scapulae 7. deltoid
8. triceps brachii 9. pectoralis 10. latissimus dorsi
SOURCE:
https://jb004.k12.sd.us/MY%20WEBSITE%20INFO/BIOLOGY%202/ANIMAL%20KINGDOM/FROG%20DISS
ECTION/HEAD%20SIDE%20VIEW%202.htm

Frog Muscles

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Frog Muscles

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FROG MUSCLES

15. Dorsal muscles of the frog thigh

16. Ventral muscles of the frog thigh 1

17. Ventral muscles of the frog thigh 2

18. Dorsal muscles of the frog shank

19. Ventral muscles of the frog shank

2. pterygoideus 3. temporal 4. masseter

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