Articles like the wikipedia entry for the Forearm distinguish between superficial, intermediate, and deep muscles. What is the difference between these muscle levels? What are some readily recognizable examples of each? Are deep muscles more significant or powerful than superficial muscles?
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I'm not sure this is in the scope of this site, but I'll give it the benefit of doubt since a great answer could save this question.– VPericAug 3, 2012 at 16:17
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What knowledge of anatomy do you have? Because actually most of our muscles are superficial, so it would be more interesting to talk about deeper muscles. As for size, your m. quadriceps femoris or m. gluteus maximus are very powerful, yet right on the surface (obviously parts of the muscles are deep too), so what do you really hope to learn from all this?– Ivo FlipseAug 3, 2012 at 20:08
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2 Answers
It simply has to do with the location of the muscle in relation to the skin surface vs. bone.
- Superficial - muscles you feel through your skin--the outermost layer
- Intermediate - muscles sitting between the superficial muscles and the deep muscles
- Deep - muscles closest to the bone--the innermost layer.
See Superficial Muscles of the Human Body for more examples.
Superficial muscles are the most visible, so body builders will spend time to make sure they look right. However, the deep muscles and intermediate muscles add to the overall mass of a person, as well as improving their ability to lift heavy things. All strength athletes (from body builders to Olympic weightlifters and power lifters) spend time developing the muscles you cannot see. Compound lifts are an important component of this process.
answered Aug 3, 2012 at 16:50
It is simply because the superficial muscle is the external most muscle that gives the body its contour. While deep muscles are deeper in the body closest to the bone.
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2While we always appreciate new users, what do you feel your answer adds that the prior answer does not?– Sean Duggan ♦Jan 5, 2016 at 20:25