ANTIGRAVITY MUSCLES: TYPES, ORIGIN AND INSERTION - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - 2025

The antigravitational or antigravitational muscles are a set of muscle groups whose primary function is to support the force of gravity to maintain a certain posture in the healthy individual. The set of muscle fascicles exerts counter-regulatory functions in favor of a postural axis.

This set acts in a synergistic and harmonious way to overcome the gravitational force and provide stability and balance. The importance of antigravity muscles in their anatomy, physiology and distribution lies in the fact that their alteration could cause serious repercussions in the lives of individuals due to their involvement in passive and active movements of the body.

Types

Antigravity muscles differ depending on the type of movement they perform. The different types that exist are described below:

- Antigravity muscles with movements in a downward direction (in favor of gravity).

- Upward movement antigravity muscles (against gravity).

- Antigravity muscles of horizontal movement (perpendicular to the force of gravity).

On the other hand, there is also a classification of antigravity muscles that divides them according to the type of action they perform:

- Static muscles, which to be used continuously. They are usually in a state of contraction and are characterized by being the best fit to resist stretching.

- Dynamic muscles, which generate movements from their contraction in the joints. They are more apt to carry out the movements.

Functions, origin and insertion

Among the various functions that are attributed to the antigravity muscles, the following can be detailed:

- Postural function: it is the most important function of this set of muscles. They are in charge of maintaining a certain posture in the individual who opposes the force of gravity.

- Proprioceptive function: as structures that have proprioceptors, they are capable of sending information from the body segments to the cerebral cortex.

- Tonicity function: due to their continuous traction, they are responsible for giving the body the appearance of tonicity.

Antigravity muscles of the chest and abdomen

Diaphragm

Muscle that divides the thorax from the abdominal cavity, acting as an anatomical stool. Provides stability and balance to the body, and when it contracts it increases the emptying of the blood found in the liver.

Origin

It has various origins because it is composed of numerous fibers that have an anchor or point of support in all the anatomical structures that form the lower costal orifice.

Insertion

It has a frenetic center in the shape of a clover where all its muscle fibers come together.

Transverse

Muscle located below the oblique of the abdomen. Among its functions are the increase in intra-abdominal pressure and the constriction of the abdomen, which leads to synergy in the processes of expiration, urination, defecation and all those that require an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.

Origin

It originates from the medial aspect of the fifth or sixth ribs and from the costiform processes of the L1 - L5 lumbar vertebrae.

Insertion

It inserts on the midline of the body, specifically on the pectineal line, pubic crest and linea alba, thus forming an anatomical structure known as the arch of Douglas.

Antigravity muscles of the upper limb

Triceps

Muscle located in the back of the humerus, its main function is the extension of the forearm and arm. It is made up of 3 portions: one long, one medial and one lateral.

Origin

Its long portion originates from the scapular infraglenoid tubercle, the lateral portion originates above the humeral torsion canal, and the medial portion originates immediately inferior to the humeral torsion canal.

Insertion

They insert into the olecranon through a common tendon called the triceps tendon.

Antigravity muscles of the lower limb

Quadriceps femoris

Muscle located in the lower limb, at the height of the femur; its main function is the extension of the knee. It is the main antigravity muscle, bearing the greatest amount of weight on itself. It is made up of 4 portions: one lateral, one medial, one intermediate, and one anterior.

Origin and insertion

The vastus medialis originates from the intertrochanteric line to the linea aspera of the femur, inserting into the patella.

The vastus lateralis originates from the outer and upper part of the femur and inserts into the lower area of ​​the greater trochanter.

The vastus intermedius arises from the upper two-thirds of the lateral aspect of the femur, and the rectus anterior arises from the anteroinferior iliac spine and the cotyloid eyebrow.

Collectively, all portions of the quadriceps femoris join together at the most distal part of the femur, forming a bulky tendon that attaches to the base and sides of the patella.

Gluteus medius

Muscle whose function is to abduct and rotate the femur.

Origin

It originates extensively at the lateral border of the iliac crest, the external iliac fossa, the gluteal aponeurosis, and the anterior superior iliac spine.

Insertion

It is inserted on the external aspect of the greater trochanter.

Gluteus maximus

It is a muscle located at the level of the iliac crest with various functions, among which the flexion of the thigh on the pelvis and the recovery of the erect position from the crouched position stand out.

Origin

Its origin is in the upper two thirds of the external iliac fossa, in the coccyx, in the sacroiliac ligaments and in the posterior part of the sacrum.

Insertion

It is inserted in the rough line at the height of its trifurcation.

Iliopsoas

Muscle whose action is the flexion of the hip.

Origin

It has its origin in the transverse process of the lumbar vertebrae and internal iliac fossa.

Insertion

Lesser trochanter of the femur.

Hip adductor

Muscle made up of two bellies. It is located on the thigh and has a triangular shape. Its function is the retroversion of the pelvis, keeping the spine stable. At the level of the femur it is adductor and internal rotator.

Origin

It originates at the level of the pelvis, in the posterior two thirds of the ischiopubic ramus.

Insertion

One of its bellies inserts on the rough line of the femur and the other on the posterior aspect of the medial condyle of the femur.

References

1. Antigravitational muscles and locomotion in the race. Recovered from: motricidadhumana.com
2. Latarjet M. and Ruíz Liard A. Human Anatomy. Editorial Médica Panamericana. Barcelona (1993)
3. Anatomy of exercise and movement. Recovered from: herrerobooks.com
4. Biomechanics of muscle strength and its assessment. Recovered from: www.csd.gob.es
5. Biomechanics of the muscle. Recovered from: fcs.uner.edu.ar