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Anatomy & Physiology Muscle Identification and Actions

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  • Occipitofrontalis muscle
    A muscle of the head with two bellies: frontal and occipital, connected by the epicranial aponeurosis. It moves the scalp and raises the eyebrows.
  • Masseter muscle
    A muscle of mastication that elevates the mandible to close the jaw.
  • Sternocleidomastoid muscle
    A neck muscle that flexes the neck and rotates the head to the opposite side.
  • Rectus abdominis muscle
    A paired muscle running vertically on the anterior abdominal wall; it flexes the vertebral column.
  • Trapezius muscle
    A large muscle that positions the pectoral girdle by elevating, retracting, and rotating the scapula.
  • Deltoid muscle
    A shoulder muscle that abducts, flexes, and extends the arm.
  • Biceps brachii muscle
    A forearm muscle that flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm.
  • Gluteus maximus muscle
    The largest muscle of the buttocks; it extends and laterally rotates the thigh.
  • Iliotibial tract (IT Band)
    A thick band of collagen fibers along the lateral thigh; it stabilizes the knee but is not a muscle.
  • Biceps femoris muscle
    A hamstring muscle that flexes the leg and extends the thigh.
  • Gastrocnemius muscle
    A calf muscle that plantarflexes the foot and flexes the leg at the knee.
  • Buccinator muscle
    A muscle of the cheek that compresses the cheek during chewing.
  • Erector spinae muscles
    A group of muscles that extend the vertebral column and maintain posture.
  • Pectoralis minor muscle
    A muscle that positions the pectoral girdle by depressing and protracting the scapula.
  • Supraspinatus muscle
    A rotator cuff muscle that abducts the arm at the shoulder.
  • Flexor carpi radialis muscle
    A forearm muscle that flexes and abducts the wrist.
  • Extensor digitorum muscle
    A muscle that extends the fingers and the hand at the wrist.
  • Gluteus medius muscle
    A muscle that abducts and medially rotates the thigh.
  • Iliopsoas muscle
    A major hip flexor composed of the iliacus and psoas major muscles.
  • Tibialis posterior muscle
    An extrinsic muscle that plantarflexes and inverts the foot.