MCAT Question A Day - 2/25/14 - Answer!
Which statement is true concerning the sites at which muscles attach to bones?
A. The origin of a muscle is never on a bone that forms part of a movable joint.
B. The insertion of a muscle is usually on the same bone as the body of the muscle.
C. The same bone can serve as the origin for one muscle and the insertion for a different muscle.
D. No muscles are attached to bones forming immovable joints.
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The correct answer is (C). Basic knowledge about muscle and joint anatomy is required. The origin of a muscle is the end that attaches to a site (bone) that does not move when the muscle contracts. In contrast, the insertion is the end that does move when the muscle contracts. The same bone can serve as the origin (site) for one muscle while serving as the insertion (site) for a different muscle.
