What is the fixed point at which a muscle attaches to bone and remains relatively stationary during contraction called?

• A. Origin
• B. Insertion
• C. Belly
• D. Ligament

Answer: (A)

The fixed attachment of a muscle is its origin. It’s the end that remains relatively stationary when the muscle contracts. The other end, called the insertion, moves toward the origin as the muscle shortens to produce movement at a joint. The central, fleshy part of the muscle is the belly, and ligaments are bands that connect bone to bone, not involved in the fixed attachment.

For example, in the biceps brachii, the origin is on the scapula and the insertion is on the radius. When you bend your elbow, the insertion moves toward the origin while the origin stays comparatively steady, producing the curl.