Tables of Major Muscles, Origins, Insertions, and Actions The Torso Muscle Name rectus abdominis Origin The

pubic arch of the pelvis. Insertion Inferior end of the sternum and cartilage of ribs #5-7. The medial edge meets the lateral edge of rectus abdominis by a tendon completely covering the latter muscle. The lower edge attaches to the anterior half of the iliac crest and the inguinal (IN-gwin-al, referring to the groin) ligament. Action Bends ribcage forward toward hips, and viceversa. Rotates the ribcage. The muscle pulls the same side forward: the right external oblique pulls the ribcage so the right shoulder comes around to the front; likewise for the left oblique. It also bends the lower spine laterally. Both sides together bend the ribcage forward toward the Moves the scapula laterally, and rolls its inferior angle upward to raise the arm above the shoulder. Extends the shoulder - pulls upper arm downward towards the torso and behind the back.

external oblique

Ribs #5-12. The origins are on the ribs near where they meet the cartilages.

serratus anterior

latissimus dorsi The Shoulder Girdle Muscle Name

Upper eight or nine ribs. Under the scapula to its medial edge. All vertebrae from the sixth thoracic to the sacrum, and the posterior, upper, medial border Ridge on anterior surface of the humerus.

pectoralis major

deltoid infraspinatus teres major

Origin Medial half of the clavicle, the lateral surface of the sternum, and the top of the abdominal aponeurosis. Lateral third of clavicle and spine of scapula, including the acromion process. A wide area on the surface of the scapula below the spine. Lower angle of the scapula.

Insertion

Action

A ridge on the front of the humerus below the head. Lateral surface of the humerus, about halfway down.

Pulls the arm forward and across the body; rotates the upper arm inwardly.

Raises the arm at the shoulder.

Posterior side of the head of the humerus. Rotates the upper arm laterally (outward). Anterior surface of the humerus, below the Adducts the upper arm and rotates it medially head. (inward).

rhomboids

trapezius The Hip and Thigh Muscle Name tensor fascia lata

Draws the scapula toward the spine, and rotates its inferior angle medially. The upper third raises the scapula; with the scapula fixed, it draws the head upright, backward, toward the shoulder, and rotates the face to the opposite side. The middle third From a short horizontal line on the base of the skull to all of the The spine of the scapula, the medial side of draws the scapula towards the spine; the lower third draws it downward. Both sides together vertebrae down to the 10th the acromion process of the scapula, and extend the head. thoracic. the lateral third of the clavicle. Medial border of scapula.

Seventh cervical vertebra and thoracic vertebrae #1-5.

Origin Anterior superior iliac spine. A wide area on the lateral surface of the ilium. Posterior, lateral surfaces of ilium,sacrum, and coccyx. (Also a number of deep ligaments on the pelvis.) Front surface on the upper end of the femur. The belly wraps around the medial side of the femur and attaches to a long Front surface on the upper end of the femur. The belly wraps around the lateral side of the femur and attaches to a long Anterior inferior iliac spine of the pelvis. Insertion: patellar Anterior superior iliac spine of pelvis.

Insertion The iliotibial band.

gluteus medius

The great trochanter of the femur.

Action Flexes and abducts the thigh, and rotates it inward. Lifts the thigh to the side. Its anterior and posterior portions rotate it medially and laterally respectively.

gluteus maximus

Upper, posterior surface of the femur, and the iliotibial band.

Straightens the thigh at the hip and draws it backwards.

vastus medialis

Patellar tendon.

Straightens the leg at the knee.

vastus lateralis rectus femoris sartorius

Patellar tendon.

Upper medial surface of the tibia.

Straightens the leg at the knee. Straightens the leg at the knee, and bends it at the hip. Flexes the leg at both the hip and the knee, and rotates the leg laterally.

semitendinosus semimembranosus

Ischial tuberosity.

Medial condyle of tibia.

biceps femoris The Lower Leg Muscle Name

Ischial tuberosity. Medial condyle of the tibia. The long head arises from the ischial tuberosity. The short head arises from a line on the back of the femur lying completely under the long head. Head of the fibula.

Pulls the thigh backwards, rotates it inward, and bends the leg at the knee. Pulls the thigh backwards, bends the leg at the knee, and rotates the lower leg inward.

Pulls the thigh backwards and bends the leg at the knee.

gastrocnemius

Origin Insertion The medial head attaches to the femur just above the medial condyle; the lateral head does Via the Achilles tendon to the bone of the the same above the lateral heel, the calcaneus (cal-KAY-nee-us). Posterior surfaces of tibia and fibula. Upper lateral and anterior surface of tibia. Lateral surface of the fibula, front of the head of the fibula, and the lateral condyle of the Via the Achilles tendon to the bone of the heel.

Action Straightens the joint of the ankle, either pointing the foot, or lifting a standing figure onto the ball of the foot. Same as gastrocnemius; straightens the joint of the ankle, either pointing the foot, or lifting a standing figure onto the ball of the foot. Bends the joint of the ankle, drawing the top of the foot upward; turns the bottom of the foot inward.

soleus

tibialis anterior

peroneus longus The Upper Arm Muscle Name

Bottom surface of the first metatarsal and the cuneiform bone of the foot. A tendon that runs down the posterior side of the ankle and under the foot to the first Points the foot, draws the bottom of the foot metatarsal. laterally.

Origin

Insertion

Action

biceps brachialis coracobrachialis

triceps The Forearm Muscle Name brachioradialis extensor carpi radialis longus extensor carpi radialis extensor digitorum extensor carpi ulnaris anconeus The Neck and Throat Muscle Name

Two points (one for each head) on the deep anterior, superior part of the scapula. These points are the glenoid fossa and the coracoid process. Anterior surface of humerus. Coracoid process of scapula. The medial and lateral heads attach to the posterior surface of the humerus. The long head attaches to lower border of the scapula, close to the arm socket.

Anterior surface of the radius below the head. Anterior surface on the head of the ulna. The mid-point on the medial side of the

Bends the arm at the elbow and turns the forearm palm-up. Bends the arm at the elbow. Adducts the upper arm and lifts it forward.

All three heads attach to the triceps tendon, which inserts into the base of the ulna on its posterior side. This point is called the olecranon (oh-LECK-ruh-non). Extends arm at elbow.

Origin A short line on the lateral edge of the humerus. Lateral epicondyle of the humerus and ridge immediately Lateral epicondyle of the Lateral epicondyle of the Lateral epicondyle of the humerus and dorsal surface of Lateral epicondyle of humerus.

Insertion The proximal end of the radius on its lateral side. Dorsal surface of base of the second metacarpal. Dorsal surface of base of the second Dorsal surface of the four fingers. Dorsal surface of fifth metacarpal. Olecranon and upper portion of ulna.

Action Bends forearm at elbow.

Straightens and pulls back the wrist. Straightens and pulls back the fingers. Extends wrist and bends it sideways towards the ulna. Straightens arm at elbow.

Origin

Insertion

sternocleidomastoid

The sternum and the medial third of the clavicle.

The mastoid process on the skull.

Action Bends the head laterally to the same side (drawing the ear toward the shoulder), and rotates the head to the opposite side (turning the face away). Both sides together roll the head towards the back.

The Hand Muscle Name Origin The facing surfaces of the first first dorsal interosseus and second metacarpals. Insertion Base of the proximal phalanx of the index finger. Action Pulls the first and second metacarpals together, abducting the index finger.