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Muscles of the Human Body - Anatomy & Physiology

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  • Occipitofrontalis (Epicranius)

    Moves the scalp and eyebrows; consists of frontal and occipital bellies.

  • Corrugator supercilii

    Draws eyebrows medially and downward, involved in frowning.

  • Orbicularis oculi

    Closes the eyelids for blinking and squinting.

  • Masseter

    Elevates the mandible; main muscle used for chewing.

  • Sternocleidomastoid

    Flexes the neck and rotates the head to the opposite side.

  • External oblique

    Compresses the abdomen and flexes and rotates the vertebral column.

  • Diaphragm

    Prime mover of inspiration; flattens to enlarge the thoracic cavity.

  • Trapezius

    Elevates, retracts, and rotates the scapula.

  • Deltoid

    Abducts, flexes, and extends the arm.

  • Biceps brachii

    Flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm.

  • Triceps brachii

    Extends the elbow.

  • Flexor carpi radialis

    Flexes and abducts the wrist.

  • Gluteus maximus

    Extends and laterally rotates the hip.

  • Quadriceps femoris

    Extends the knee; composed of rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius.

  • Hamstrings

    Flex the knee and extend the hip; includes biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus.

  • Tibialis anterior

    Dorsiflexes and inverts the foot.

  • Gastrocnemius

    Plantarflexes the foot and flexes the knee.

  • Origin of a muscle

    The fixed attachment point of a muscle, usually proximal.

  • Insertion of a muscle

    The movable attachment point where the muscle exerts its action, usually distal.

  • Pectoralis major origin and insertion

    Origin: sternal end of clavicle, sternum, ribs 1-6; Insertion: greater tubercle and intertubercular sulcus of humerus.

  • Pectoralis major action

    Flexes, adducts, and medially rotates the arm.

  • Latissimus dorsi origin and insertion

    Origin: spines of lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, iliac crest; Insertion: intertubercular sulcus of humerus.

  • Latissimus dorsi action

    Extends, adducts, and medially rotates the arm.

  • Deltoid origin and insertion

    Origin: acromion and spine of scapula, lateral third of clavicle; Insertion: deltoid tuberosity of humerus.

  • Deltoid action

    Abducts, flexes, and extends the arm.

  • Triceps brachii origin and insertion

    Origin: glenoid cavity of scapula, posterior shaft of humerus; Insertion: olecranon process of ulna.

  • Triceps brachii action

    Extends the elbow.

  • Gastrocnemius origin and insertion

    Origin: medial and lateral condyles of femur; Insertion: calcaneus via Achilles tendon.

  • Gastrocnemius action

    Plantarflexes the foot and flexes the knee.