Superficial anterior neck

Skeletal_muscles are named using these criteria: the direction of the muscle fibers, the relative size of the muscle, the location of the muscle, the number of origins, the location of the origin and insertion, the shape of the muscle, and the specific action that the muscle performs.

There are various types of skeletal muscle actions, including prime_movers (agonists), antagonists, synergists, and fixators.

The dissection of the cat muscles will familiarize you with the general organization of mammalian skeletal muscles.

NOTE:

(1) The sternomastoid muscle and the deeper cleidomastoid muscle of the cat are combined in the human to form one muscle called the sternocleidomastoid.

(2) Not all editions of your lab manual include a photo that shows the masseter, so be certain to find one on your lab specimen.