Bipennate muscle
Musculus bipennatus
- Latin synonym: Musculus pennatus
- Synonym: Pennate muscle
- Related terms: Pennate muscle; Bipennate muscle
Definition
A bipennate muscle is a type of pennate skeletal muscle in which the muscle fibers attach obliquely on both sides of a central tendon, giving it a feather-like appearance. This arrangement allows a large number of fibres to be packed into a limited space, greatly increasing the physiological cross-sectional area and thereby enhancing force generation.
Anatomically, the bipennate muscle fibres run at an angle to the tendon, resulting in strong, controlled contractions with a smaller range of motion compared to muscles with parallel fibres.
Example
Dorsal interossei (hand) — abduct the fingers away from the midline of the hand.
References
Gray, H. (2016) Gray’s anatomy the anatomical basis of clinical practice. 41st edition. Edited by S. Standring. New York: Elsevier.
