Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Definition

noun

A flat muscle with fascicles arranged obliquely to the central tendon.

Supplement

Penniform muscles, especially the bipennate muscles, resemble a feather. These muscles can produce very powerful actions. They allow better stabilization but less flexibility. They also tire easily.

Examples of penniform muscles are extensor digitorum longum, rectus femoris, and deltoid muscle.

Synonym: pennate muscle

Compare: fusiform muscle