Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

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What is the primary action of an extensor muscle?

Bending or flexing a joint

Extending or straightening a joint

The primary action of an extensor muscle is to extend or straighten a joint. Extensor muscles are responsible for increasing the angle between two bones at a joint, which is the fundamental definition of extension. For example, when the arm straightens at the elbow, the muscles on the back of the arm, known as the triceps brachii, contract to extend the elbow joint.

Understanding the role of extensor muscles helps clarify their function within the broader context of movement. In contrast to flexor muscles, which decrease the angle at a joint (bending), extensor muscles perform the opposite action. While rotating a limb and stabilizing a joint are important aspects of muscular and joint function, they are not the primary action associated with extensor muscles specifically. The fundamental role assigned to these muscles is strictly related to the action of extending joints.

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Rotating a limb

Stabilizing a joint

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