What is the central part of the muscle commonly referred to as?

The central part of a muscle is referred to as the belly. This term describes the thicker, fleshy portion of the muscle that is responsible for generating force during contraction. The belly is surrounded by connective tissue, which connects the muscle to the bones at each end through tendons.

Understanding the anatomy of muscles is crucial in skin care and beauty practices, as the manipulation of facial and body muscles can enhance client treatments. The other terms mentioned, such as insertion, refer to the point where the muscle attaches to the bone that moves when the muscle contracts. Striated muscle describes a type of muscle tissue that appears striped under a microscope and includes skeletal muscles. Petrissage is a massage technique involving kneading and manipulation of muscle tissue. While all these terms relate to muscles, only "belly" specifically indicates the central part of the muscle itself.