Final answer:
The more movable attachment point of a muscle to bone is called the insertion, and the less movable point is the origin. During actions like bending the elbow, these points work together with tendons and joints to facilitate movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the human body, the point where a muscle attaches to the more movable bone in a joint is referred to as the muscle's insertion, and the point where the muscle attaches to the less movable bone is called the origin. To visualize this, let's consider the action of forearm flexion; when you bend your elbow, the brachioradialis muscle serves as a synergist assisting the primary muscle involved, the brachialis. The brachioradialis attaches at its insertion to the distal radius, which moves more, whereas its origin is typically at the humerus, a bone that moves less during this action.
Understanding these attachment points helps in comprehending how muscles leverage bones to facilitate movement at the joints. Tendons are the tough connective tissues that anchor muscles to the bones. These dynamic interactions are critical for the body's stability and mobility, especially at the various joints, such as ball-and-socket, pivot, and gliding joints.