Which are the three parts of a muscle?

• A. Tendon, Origin, and Belly
• B. Belly, Insertion, and Origin
• C. Belly, Tendon, and Insertion
• D. Origin, Belly, and Insertion

Answer: (B)

Muscle anatomy centers on three parts: the belly, the origin, and the insertion. The belly is the central, fleshy, contractile portion where most of the muscle’s fibers are located. The origin is the anchor point, typically on a bone, that stays relatively fixed during contraction. The insertion is where the muscle attaches to another bone and is the end that moves when the muscle shortens. The tendon plays a crucial role in attaching muscle to bone, but it’s connective tissue rather than a part of the muscle itself. Because of that, the set that lists belly, origin, and insertion correctly identifies the muscle’s main components.