Abdominal

Muscles

Muscle
External Oblique
This is the large muscle constituting the outermost
layer of the abdominal wall.
Internal Oblique
It is a short muscle lying beneath the more dorsal
portion of the external oblique. Its fibers are directed
obliquely downward and forward, and are continued
by a very broad aponeurosis.
Transverse Abdominis
Its fibers are directed ventrally and slightly
posteriorly.
Rectus Abdominis

Chest
Muscles

This is a long slender muscle on each side of the

linea alba, extending from the pubic symphysis to
the anterior part of the thorax. It is found inside of
and between the aponeuroses of the preceding
muscles.
Pectoantibrachialis
Anterior and most superficial of the chest muscles.
Pectoralis Major
Posterior to the pectoantibrachialis and extending
anteriorly dorsal to the pectoantibrachialis, which
should be cut across.
Pectoralis Minor
Posterior to the pectoralis major and covered in large
part by the pectoralis major.
Xiphihumeralis

Muscles of
the Neck
and Throat

A thin, flat, long muscle, passing from the xiphoid

process of the sternum, its anterior part passing
dorsal to the posterior part of the pectoralis minor.
Sternomastoid
This is the superficial muscle of the ventral side of
the neck. A large vein, the external jugular vein,
crosses its surface at an angle to the direction of its
fibers.
Sternohyoid
The anterior ends of these muscles are visible
between the two sternomastoids, as the
cleidomastoid diverge from the median raphe. They
extend in the median ventral line from the first costal
cartilage to the body of the hyoid bone, the two
being closely united in the median line.
Cleidomastoid
Long muscle passing from the head to the upper arm
lateral to the sternomastoid. Extends from the
clavicle, which will be found as a slender bone on the
internal surface of the long muscle just mentioned at
the level of the shoulder, to the mastoid process.
Clavotrapezius and clavobrachial
The long muscle on the side of the neck and passing
over the ventral surface of the shoulder to the
forearm is sometimes considered as one muscle, the
cephalobrachial, or as two. In the latter case, it is
known as the clavotrapezius and extends from the
skull to the clavicle. The lower part from the clavicle
to the forearm is the calvobrachialis.
Masseter
The great thick muscle covering the angle of the
jaws situated in front of the submaxillary and parotid
glands. A very tough shining fascia covers it.
Temporal
A great mass of muscle covered by a strong shining
fascia occupying the temporal fossa of the skull,
dorsal to the ear.
Digastric
The muscle lying along the medial surface of each

Origin
Lumbodorsal fascia and
posterior ribs by
separate slips

Insertion
Extensive neurosis
which passes to the
linea alba and also in
the pubis
Linea alba by the
extensive aponeurosis

Action
Constrictor of the
abdomen

Second sheet of the

lumbodorsal fascia and
border of the pelvic
girdle
Anterior end of pubic
symphysis

Linea alba by the

extensive aponeurosis

Compressor of the
abdomen

Sternum and costal

cartilages

Retracts ribs and

sternum and
compresses
abdomen

Manumbrium

Flat tendon on the

fascia of the forearm

Draws the arm

toward the chest

Sternum and median

ventral raphe

Humerus

Draws the arm

toward the chest

Sternum

Humerus

Draws the arm

toward the chest

Xiphoid process of the

sternum

Humerus

Draws the arm

toward the chest

Median raphe and the

manubrium of the
sternum

On the skull from the

lambdoidal ridge onto
the mastoid process

Singly turn the head,

together depresses
head on neck

Second sheet of the

lumbodorsal fascia and
border of the pelvic
girdle

Compressor of the
abdomen

Draw the hyoid

posteriorly

Clavicle

Sternomastoid

Pulls clavicle craniad

or turns head, acting
singly, or lowers
head on neck

Clavicle and fibers of the

clavotrapezius

Ulna

Flexor of the forearm

Zygomatic Arch

Posterior half of the

lateral surface of the
mandible

Elevator of the lower

jaw

Side of the skull from the

superior nuchal line to
the zygomatic process of
the frontal bone, and
from part of the
zygomatic arch
Jugular and mastoid
processes of the skull

Coronoid process of
the mandible

Elevator of the jaw

Mandible

Depressor of the
lower jaw

half of the mandible. It extends posteriorly internal

to the submaxillary gland.
Mylohyoid

Mandible

Median raphe

Raises floor of the

mouth and brings
hyoid forward

Mandible near the

symphysis

Body of the hyoid

Draws the hyoid

forward

A pair of long, slender muscles lying in the median

line.
Sternothyroid

Sternum

Thyroid cartilage of the

larynx

Pulls the larynx

posteriorly

Located on each side of the trachea, dorsal to the

sternohyoids.
Thyrohyoid

Thyroid cartilage

Posterior horn of the

hyoid

Raises the larynx

From the neural spines

of the last thoracic and
most of the lumbar
vertebrae and from the
lumbodorsal fascia
Spines of the thoracic
vertebrae and passes
forward obliquely
forward
Neural spines of the
cervical and first
thoracic vertebrae

Tendon on the medial

surface of the humerus

Pulls the forelimb

dorsally and caudally

Fascia of the scapula

Draws the scapula

dorsad and caudad

Metacromion process
and spine of the
scapula and fascia of
the preceding muscle
Clavicle

Draws the scapula

dorsad and holds the
two scapula together

Metacromion process
and neighboring fascia

Draws the scapula

craniad

Neural spines of the

vertebrae and adjacent
ligaments

Ventral border of the

scapula

Draws scapula
dorsad

Superior nuchal line

Scapula

Draws the scapula

craniad and rotates it

Middorsal line and fascia

Superior nuchal line

Raises or turns the

head

Whole surface of the

supraspinatus fossa

Greater tuberosity of
the humerus

Extends the humerus

Acromion process

Surface of other
muscles of the
shoulder

Raise and rotate the

humerus

Spine of the scapula

Ridge (Deltoid ridge) of

the humerus

Raise and rotate he

humerus

Infraspinous fossa of the

scapula

Greater tuberosity of
the humerus

Rotates the humerus

Axillary border of the

scapula and fascia of
neighboring muscles

Common with
latissimus dorsi on the
medial surface of the
humerus

Rotates the humerus

and lowers it

Axillary border of the

scapula

Greater tuberosity

Assists the
infraspinatus

Subscapular fossa

Lesser tuberosity of
the humerus

Pulls the humerus

medially

Slips from the first nine

or ten ribs and the

Scapula near the

vertebral border

Draws the scapula

craniad, ventrad, and

Thin transverse sheet passing across between the

two digastrics from one half of the mandible to the
other.
Geniohyoid

Muscles of
the Upper
Back and
Shoulder
and Back
of the Neck

Short, narrow muscle on each side of the thyroid

cartilage
Latissimus Dorsi
The large flat muscle extending obliquely forward
from the middle of the back to the upper arm.
Spinotrapezius
Posterior trapezius
Acromiotrapezius
Middle trapezius
Clavotrapezius
Anterior trapezius
Levator Scapulae Ventralis
Flat, bandlike muscle which passes anteriorly,
diverging from the acromiotrapezius and passing
internal to the clavotrapezius
Rhomboideus
Thick muscle beneath the spinotrapezius and
acromiotrapezius extending from the vertebral
border of the scapula to the middorsal line
Rhomboideus Capitis
Extends as a slender band forward
Splenius
Large sheet of muscle covering the back of the neck
in front of the rhomboideus, internal to the trapezii
and crossed by the rhomboideus capitis
Supraspinatus
stout muscle occupying the supraspinous fossa of
the scapula
Acromiodeltoid
Short, thick muscle passing ventrally from the
acromion process
Spinodeltoid
Muscle which passes to the upper arm, across the
upper ends of the muscles of the upper arm
Infraspinatus
Two large muscles that are posterior to the scapula
Teres Major
The stout muscle immediately behind the
Infraspinatus, its fibers running in the same
direction.
Teres Minor
On the posterior border of the infraspinatus and
somewhat covered by it
Subscapularis
Occupies the subscapular fossa and covers the inner
or medial surface of the surface
Serratus Ventralis

Superior nuchal line and

median dorsal line of
neck
Transverse process of
the atlas and occipital
bone

Draws the clavicle

dorsad and craniad

A large, fan-shaped muscle extending from the

ventral border of the scapula to the sides of the
thorax and neck.
Serratus Dorsalis

Upper Arm
Muscles

against the thoracic

wall

Last ribs

Draw the ribs

forward

Draws the ribs

forward and bend the
neck

Draw the ribs back

again

The anterior part of this muscle arises by a number

of fleshy slips from the ribs near the angles. The
posterior part of this muscle consists of a few slips
lying under the latissimus dorsi.
Scalenes

Ribs

Long muscles seen in the chest wall ventral to the

origin of the serratus ventralis and in front of the
anterior boundary of the external oblique
External Intercostals

Ribs

Transverse processes
of the cervical
vertebrae, uniting
anteriorly into one
band
Ribs

Their fibers run obliquely backward and downward.

Internal Intercostals

Ribs

Ribs

The fibers run obliquely forward and downward.

Longissimus dorsi

Serratus Ventralis

Median part
Iliocostalis

Transverse processes
of the vertebrae

Ribs

Prominent tendons

Distal end of the

humerus

Lateral surface of the

ulna

Strengthens the
elbow joint

Latissimus dorsi

Olecranon

Tending to rotate the

ulna

Glenoid fossa

Radius

Flexor of the forearm

Lateral surface of the

humerus

Ulna

Flexor of the forearm

Lateral epicondyle of the

humerus, and semilunar
notch of the ulna
Lateral surface of
humerus above the
lateral epicondyle

Proximal end of fifth

metacarpal
Tendon passes internal
to wrist ligaments

Extends fifth digit

and ulnar side of
wrist
Extends three or four
digits

Lateral surface of
humerus above the
lateral epicondyle
Middle of humerus

Tendon passes internal

to wrist ligaments

Extends three or four

digits

Lower end of radius

and adjacent
ligaments

Rotates hand to
supine position

Humerus near other

extensors

Second and third

metacarpals

Extends hand

Medial epicondyle of the

humerus

Radius

Rotates radius to
prone position

Medial epicondyle of
humerus

Second and third

metacarpals

Flexes these
metacarpals

Medial epicondyle of
humerus

Flexor of digits

Ulna and humerus

Flat tendon passes

through wrist
ligaments and divides
into four or five
tendons
Basal phalanges

Olecranon process of the

ulna

Pisiform bone of the

wrist

Flexes ulnar side of

wrist

Ventral part
Triceps brachii (aconeus)
In the cat, there is also a small fourth part of the
triceps, a small triangular muscle at the elbow joint,
covered by the distal end of the lateral head.
Epitrochlearis (Extensor antibrachii)
A thin sheet located on the medial side of the long
head
Biceps brachii
Visible only after cutting the insertions of the
pectoral muscles.
Brachialis

Forearm
Muscles

anterior part (sometimes

called levator scapulae)
from the tranverse
processes of the last five
cervical vertebrae
Aponeurosis from the
median dorsal line

Lateral to the biceps, in contact with the lateral head

of the triceps.
Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
The first muscle preaxial to the ulna
Extensor Digitorum Lateralis
Next to the extensor carpi ulnaris, going toward the
preaxial side
Extensor Digitorum Communis
Next to the extensor digitorum lateralis
Brachioradialis (Supinator Longus)
Next to the extensor digitorum communis on the
preaxial border of the forearm, but loose and
standing away from the underlying extensor
Extensor Carpi Radialis
Underlies the brachioradialis and extends onto the
inner or medial surface of the arm.
Pronator Teres
Next to the extensor carpi radialis longus and
somewhat under it
Flexor Carpi Radialis
Lies next to, and mostly under pronator teres
Palmaris Longus
Flat muscle forming outer surface of forearm next to
flexor carpi radialis
Flexor Profundus Digitorum
This is the complex muscle which lies under the
palmaris longus and projects to he radial side of it.
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

Bring the ribs

forward

General flexor of the

fingers

Thigh
Muscles

This consists of two nearly separate muscles which

form the ulnar border of the forearm from the medial
view.
Tensor Fasciae Latae

Ilium and neighboring

fascia

Fascia Lata

Tightens the fascia

lata

Tuberosity of the ischium

Patella and tibia by a

tendon, and the fascia
of the shank

Abductor of the thigh

and flexor of the
shank

Transverse processes of
the second and third
caudal vertebrae

Muscle passes
ventrally, concealed by
the anterior margin of
the biceps femoris

Abductor of the
thigh, extensor of the
shank

Fascia and transverse

processes of the last
sacral and first caudal
vertebrae

Fascia lata and to a

slight extent on the
greater trochanter

Abductor of the thigh

Adjacent fascia, crest of

the ilium, and lateral
surface of the ilium, and
transverse processes of
the last sacral and first
caudal vertebrae
Crest and ventral border
of the ilium

Strong tendon on the

greater trochanter of
the femur

Abductor of the thigh

Greater trochanter and

surface of the femur

Proximal end of the

tibia and the patella
and the fascia and
ligaments between
Patella and adjacent
ligaments

Adductor and rotator

of the thigh and
extensor of the
shank
Extensor of the
shank

Ilium near the

acetabulum

Patella and adjacent

ligaments

Extensor of the
shank

Femur

Patella and adjacent

ligaments

Extensor of the
shank

Surface of the femur

Patella and adjacent

ligaments

Extensor of the
shank

Ichial and pubic

symphysis

Aponeurosis which
passes to the tibia

Adductor of the leg

Pubis

Femur

Adductor of the thigh

It consists of three muscles passing from the median

ventral line to the femur.
Adductor Femoris

Pubis

Femur

Adductor of the thigh

Middle muscular mass

Semimembranosus

Ischium

Extensor of the thigh

The large posterior part of mass, covered by the

gracilis.
Semitendinosus

Ischial tuberosity

Medial Epicondyle of
the femur and
proximal end of the
tibia
Tibia

Thick triangular muscle located in dorsal part of

tough fascia.
Biceps Femoris
This is the large muscle on the lateral surface of the
thigh posterior to the fascia lata and covering more
than half of the surface of the thigh.
Caudofemoralis
A narrow flat muscle passing from the side of the
root of the tail toward the dorsal end of the biceps
femoris
Gluteus Maximus
A thin, flat muscle immediately anterior to the
caudofemoralis that is imbedded in the fascia and is
continuous with the tensor fasciae latae anteriorly
Gluteus Medius
The very large, triangular muscle immediately in
front of the gluteus maximus and partly covered by it
Sartorius
This muscle forms the anterior margin from the
lateral view of the thigh.
Vastus Lateralis
The large stout muscle which was covered by the
fascia lata
Rectus Femoris
Stout muscle lying on its medial side and covered
externally by the sartorius
Vastus Medialis
On the medial side of the thigh posterior to the
rectus femoris
Vastus Intermedius
A muscle seen deep down, next to the shaft of the
femur
Gracilis
This is the large, flat muscle forming the posterior
half of the medial surface of the thigh.
Adductor Longus

The most posterior muscle of the thigh, posterior to

the semimembranosus.
Tenuissimus
A narrow, long muscle beneath the biceps femoris
Shank
Muscles

Tibialis Anterior

Transverse processes of
the second caudal
vertebrae
Proximal parts of tibia
and fibula

Most ventral muscle, whose ventral border is in

contact with the tibia

Extensor Digitorum Longus

This is the muscle next dorsal to the tibialis anterior

Lateral epicondyle of the

femur

On the same fascia as

the insertion of the
biceps (fascia of the
shank)
Strong tendon, which
should be traced into
the foot, where it will
be found to pass
obliquely to the medial
side of the foot to be
inserted on the first
metatarsal
Stout tendon, which if
followed into the foot
is found to diverge into

Flexor of the shank

Flexor of the foot

Extensors and flexors

of the foot

on the lateral surface of the shank.

Peroneus
These are next dorsal to the extensor digitorum
longus.
Gastrocnemius
This is the large muscle forming the posterior or
caudal surface of the shank. It has two large
portions, one on the medial surface, and the other on
the lateral surface of the shank. The lateral head is
divisible into four heads.
Soleus
A flat muscle in contact with the peroneus muscles
ventrally. It tapers abruptly to a tendon, which joins
the gastrocnemius.
Plantaris

Fibula

Immediately dorsal to the bone which consists of two

parts, somewhat separated.
Tibialis Posterior
It is the long tendon between the two parts of the
flexor digitorum longus.

Extensors and flexors

of the foot

Surface fascia, the femur

and the tendon and
fascia of the plantaris
muscle

Strong tendon, which

passes to the heel
bone (calcaneus)

Extensor of the foot

Fibula

Calcaneus

Extensor of the foot

Patella and femur

Thick tendon which

passes in the middle of
a sort of tube formed
by the tendon of the
gastrocnemius and
soleus onto the ventral
surface of the
calcaneus
Digits

Flexor of the digits

Scaphoid and medial

cuneiform of the ankle

Extensor of the foot

Large muscle lying between the two heads of the

gastrocnemius, which practically enclose it.

Flexor Digitorum Longus

four tendons, one of

which is inserted on
each digit
Metatarsals and digits

Tibia, fibula, and

adjacent fascia
Fibula, tibia, and fascia

Flexor of the digits