Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Action |
Upper Trapezius | external occipital protuberance, base of skull, ligamentum nuchae | Lateral clavicle | scapular elevation, upward rotation |
Middle Trapezius | spinous processes of C7-T5 | Acromion process | retraction of scapula |
Lower Trapezius | Spinous Processes of T6-T12 | Spine of Scapula | scapular depression, retraction, upward rotation |
Levator Scapulae | Transverse processes of c1-c4 | medial border of scapula | Elevation of scapula, downward rotation |
Rhomboids | Spinous Processes of C7-T5 | medial border of scapula | downward rotation of scapula, retraction, elevation |
Serratus Anterior | Ribs 1-9, | anterior aspect of medial border of scapula | protraction, upward rotation of scapula |
Pectoralis Minor | ribs 3-5 | coracoid process | depression, downward rotation, anterior tilt |
Subclavius | 1st rib | clavicle | depression of clavicle, stabilizes SC joint |
Supraspinatus | suprispinatus fossa | greater tubercle of humerus | abduction, stabilization of GH joint |
Infraspinatus | infraspinatus fossa | greater tubercle of humerus | external rotation, stabilization of GH joint |
Teres minor | lateral border of scapula | greater tubercle of humerus | external rotation, stabilization of GH joint |
Subscapularis | subscapular fossa | lesser tubercle of humerus | internal rotation, stabilization of GH joint |
Latissimus Dorsi | Spinous processes of lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, thoracolumbar fascia, posterior ilium, inferior angle of scapula, lower 4 ribs | intertubercular groove | shoulder adduction,extension, internal rotation, depression |
Teres Major | Inferior angle of scapula | crest of lesser tubercle | extension, adduction, external rotation |
Anterior Deltoid | Corocoid process | deltoid tuberosity | horizontal adduction, flexion, abduction, internal rotation |
Middle Deltoid | Acromion process | deltoid tuberosity | abduction, flexion |
Posterior Deltoid | Spine of scapula | deltoid tuberosity | horizontal abduction, extension, external rotation |
Pectoralis Major- clavicular head | clavicle | crest of greater tubercle | internal rotation, horizontal adduction, flexion, flexion |
Pectoralis Major- sternal head | manubrium and body of sternum | crest of greater tubercle | internal rotation, adduction, depression |
Biceps Brachii | long head- supraglenoid tubercle
short head- coracoid process | bicipital tuberosity | shoulder flexion, elbow flexion, supination of forearm |
coracobrachialis | coracoid process | shaft of humerus | shoulder flexion |
Triceps Brachii | long head- infragleniod tubercle
lateral- lateral to the radial groove
medial- medial to radial groove | olecranon process | extension of the shoulder (long head), extension of the elbow |
Brachialis | distal humerus | coronoid process of ulna | elbow flexion |
Brachioradialis | lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus | distal radius | elbow flexion, supinates and pronates to neutral |
Anconeus | lateral epicondyle of the humerus | olecranon process | elbow extension |
Supinator | lateral epicondyle- humerus, supinator crest of ulna | proximal radius | supination of forearm |
Pronator Teres | medial epicondyle, anterior proximal ulna | mid radius | forearm pronation, elbow flexion |
Pronator Quadratus | anterior distal ulna | anterior distal radius | forearm pronation |
Extensor carpi radialis Brevis | lateral epicondyle of humerus | dorsal base of 3rd metacarpal | wrist extension, radial deviation |
Extensor carpi radialis Longus | lateral epicondyle | dorsal base of 2nd metacarpal | wrist extension, radial deviation |
Extensor carpi ulnaris | lateral epicondyle, posterior mid 1/3 of ulna | dorsal base of 5th metacarpal | wrist extension, ulnar deviation |
Flexor carpi radialis | medial epicondyle | palmar base of 2nd metacarpal | wrist flexion, radial deviation |
Flexor carpi ulnaris | medial epicondyle, middle 1/3 of ulna | palmar base of 5th metacarpal, pisiform | wrist flexion, ulnar deviation |
Palmaris Longus | medial epicondyle | transverse carpal ligament, palmar aponeurosis | wrist flexion |
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis | medial epicondyle, proximal ulna, radius | by 4 tendons, sides of mid phalanges 2-5 | MCP, PIP flexion 2-5, wrist flexion |
Flexor Digitorum Profundus | anterior ulna, interosseous membrane | by 4 tendons, bases of distal phalanges 2-5 | MCP, PIP, DIP flexion 2-5, wrist flexion |
Flexor Pollicis Longus | anterior radius, interosseous membrane | base of distal phalanx of thumb | CMC, MCP, IP flexion of thumb, wrist flexion |
Extensor Digitorum | lateral epicondyle | by 4 tendons, bases of extensor mechanism and bases of proximal phalanges of 2-5 | extension of fingers 2-5 (MCP, PIP, DIP), wrist extension |
Extensor Indicis | posterior distal ulna, interosseous membrane | blends with index tendon of extensor digitorum | extension of index finger, wrist flexion |
extensor digiti minimi | ulnar side of belly of extensor digitorum | joins tendon of extensor digitorum to 5th finger | extension of 5th finger, wrist extension |
Extensor Pollicis Longus | posterior ulna, interosseous membrane | dorsal base of distal phalanx of thumb | extension of thumb, wrist extension, radial deviation |
Extensor pollicis brevis | posterior radius, interosseous membrane | dorsal base of proximal phalanx of thumb | extension of CMC, MCP of thumb |
Abductor pollicis longus | posterior radius, ulna, interosseous membrane | base of metacarpal of thumb | abduction and extension of CMC |
Abductor Pollicis brevis | | | abducts thumb |
Flexor Pollicis Brevis | | | Flexion of thumb |
Opponens Pollicis | | | opposition of thumb |
Flexor Digiti Minimi | | | Flexion of 5th finger |
Abductor digiti minimi | | | abduction of 5th finger |
opponens digiti minimi | | | opposition of 5th finger |
Adductor pollicis | | | adduction of thumb, flexion of thumb |
Lumbricals | | | simultaneous flexion of MCP, and extension of IP joints |
Dorsal Interossei | | | Abduction of MCP joints |
Palmar interossei | | | Adduction of MCP joints |
Sternocleidomastoid | manubrium of sternum, medial 1/3 of clavicle | mastoid process | bilateral head and neck flexion
unilateral: contralateral head and neck rotation, lateral flexion |
Splenius capitis | ligamentum nuchae, spinous processes of C7-T3 | mastoid process, lateral 1/3 of superior nuchal line | bilateral: head and neck extension
unilateral: lateral flexion of head and neck, ipsilateral rotation of head and neck |
splenius cervicis | spinous processes of T3-T6 | transverse processes of c1-c3 | bilateral: extension of neck
unilateral: ipsilateral rotation of the neck, lateral flexion of the neck |
Rectus abdominus | (inferior) crest of pubis | (superior) xiphoid process of sternum, cartilages of ribs 5-7 | flexion of truck, posterior pelvic tilt, increases intra-abdominal and intrathoracic pressure |
External oblique | ribs 4-12 | Iliac crest and linea alba | bilateral: flexion of trunk, posterior pelvic tilt, increases intra-abdominal pressure intrathoracic pressure
unilateral: contralateral rotation, lateral flexion |
Internal oblique | iliac crest, inguinal ligament, thoracolumbar fascia | ribs 9-12, linea alba | bilateral- trunk flexion, posterior pelvic tilt, increase tension in thoracolumbar fascia
unilateral: lateral flexion, ipsilateral rotation |
Transverse abdominus | iliac crest, thoracolumbar fascia, cartilages of ribs 6-12 | linea alba | increases intra-abdominal pressure, increases tension in thoracolumbar fascia |
Quadratus lumborum | posterior iliac crest | transverse processes of L1-L4, 12th rib | bilateral: extension of lumbar region
unilateral: lateral flexion of trunk |
Iliopsoas | Transverse processes of T12-L5, iliac fossa | lesser trochanter of femur | hip flexion, trunk flexion, anterior pelvic tilt |
Short segmental muscles | (muscles in group) Intertransversarius, interspinales | | fine control of spine, extension and lateral flexion |
Transversospinal muscles | (muscles in group) semispinalis, multifidi, rotatores | | fine movement
Bilateral- trunk and neck flexion
unilateral |
Erector Spinae | (muscles in group) iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis | | gross control of trunk, neck
Bilateral: trunk and neck extension
unilateral: lateral flexion |
suboccipital muscles | (Muscles in group) Rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliques capitis superior, obliques capitis inferior | | fine control of AA, AO joints, Extension of AA, AO joints, lateral flexion, rotation |
Deep anterior muscles | Rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, longus capitis, longus colli | | head and neck flexion, lateral flexion, fine control- visual, vestibular orientation, dynamic stabilizers of craniocervical region |
Rectus femoris | Anterior inferior iliac spine | tibial tuberosity | knee extension, hip flexion |
Sartorius | Anterior superior iliac spine | pes anserinus | hip flexion, internal rotation, adduction
knee flexion, internal rotation |
Tensor Fascial latae | iliac crest | ilitibial band | hip abduction, hip flexion, hip internal rotation |
Gluteus Maximus | posterior ilium, sacrum, coccyx, and sacrotuberous and sacroiliac ligaments | iliotibial band and gluteal tuberosity | hip extension, external rotation, posterior pelvic tilt |
semitendinosus | Ischial tuberosity | pes anserinus | hip extension, posterior pelvic tilt
knee flexion, internal rotation |
Biceps femoris- long head | Ischial tuberosity | head of fibula | hip extension, posterior pelvic tilt
knee flexion, knee external rotation |
semimembranosus | ischial tuberosity | medial condyle of tibia | hip extension, posterior pelvic tilt, knee flexion, knee internal rotation |
Gluteus medius | outer surface of ilium | greater trochanter | hip abduction |
Gluteus minimus | outer surface of ilium | greater trochanter | hip abduction, hip internal rotation |
Pectineus | superior pubic ramus | posterior proximal femur | hip flexion, hip adduction |
adductor longus | crest and body of pubis | mid 1/3 of linea aspera | hip adduction, hip flexion |
Gracilis | body and inferior ramus of pubis | pes anserinus | hip adduction, hip flexion, knee flexion, knee internal rotation |
Adductor Brevis | inferior pubic rabus | proximal 1/3 of linea aspera | hip adduction, hip flexion |
Adductor Magnus | Extensor head: ischial tuberosity
Adductor head: ischial ramus | Extensor head: adductor tubercle
Adductor head: linea aspera | hip adduction
extensor head: extension
adductor head: adduction |
Piriformis | anterior sacrum | greater trochanter | external rotation, adduction |
Obturator internus | internal surface of obturator membrane | greater trochanter | external rotation |
Obturator externus | external surface of obturator membrane | greater trochanter | external rotation |
Gemellis superior | ischial spine | greater trochanter | external rotation |
Gemellis inferior | ischial tuberosity | greater trochanter | external rotation |
Quadratus femoris | ischial tuberosity | intertrochanteric crest | external rotation |
Vastus medialis | medial lip of linea aspera, intertrochanteric line | tibial tuberosity | knee extension |
Vastus lateralis | lateral lip of linea aspera, intertrochanteric line | tibial tuberosity | knee extension |
Vastus intermedius | upper 2/3 of anterior femoral shaft | tibial tuberosity | knee extension |
Biceps femoris: short head | lateral lip of linea aspera | head of fibula | knee flexion, external rotation |
Popliteus | lateral femoral condyle | posterior proximal tibia | knee internal rotation, flexion |
Tibialis Anterior | proximal 2/3 of lateral tibia, interosseous membrane | medial and plantar aspects of medial cuneiform, base of first metatarsals | dorsiflexion, inversion |
Extensor Hallucis longus | fibula, interosseous membrane | dorsal base of distal phalanx of big toe | extension of great toe, dorsiflexion |
Extensor Digitorum Longus | lateral condyle of tibia, proximal 2/3 of fibula, interosseous membrane | splits into 4 tendons, attach to proximal base of dorsal surface of middle and distal phalanges 2-5 | extension of DIP, MTP, PIP 2-5, dorsiflexion, eversion |
Peroneus Tertius | distal fibula, interosseous membrane | dorsal base of 5th metatarsal | dorsiflexion, eversion |
peroneus longus | head of fibula, proximal 2/3 of lateral surface of fibula | laterala surface of medial cuneiform, plantar surface of 1st metatarsal | everysion, plantar flexion |
Peroneus Brevis | distal 2/3 laterl fibula | styloid process of 5th metatarsal | plantar flexion, eversion |
Gastrocnemius | posterior aspects of medial and lateral femoral condyles | calcaneal tuberosity via achilles tendon | knee flexion, plantar flexion |
soleus | proximal posterior fibula, fibular head, tibia | calcaneal tuberosity via achilles tendon | plantar flexion |
Plantaris | lateral femoral condyle | medial aspect of achilles tendon | knee flexion, plantar flexion |
Tibialis posterior | porximal 2/3 of posterior tibia, fibula, and interosseous membrane | attach to every tarsal except talus, bases of 2/4 metatarsals | most effective inverter and supinator of transverse tarsal joints, plantar flexion, supports medial longitudinal arch |
Flexor hallucis Longus | posterior fibula | plantar base of distal phalanx of great toe | flexion of great toe, plantar flexion, inversion |
flexor digitorum longus | posterior tibia | by 4 tendons- bases of distal phalanges 2-5 | flexion of toes 2-5, plantar flexion, ankle inversion |
Extensor digitorum brevis | | | extends toes 1-4 |
Flexor digitorum brevis | | | flexes toes 2-5 |
abductor hallucis | | | abducts great toe |
abductor digiti minimi | | | abducts 5th toe |
quadratus plantae | | | helps stabilize tendons of flexor digitorum longus |
lumbricals | | | |
adductor hallucis | | | flexion and adduction of MTP joint of great toe |
Flexor Hallucis brevis | | | MTP flexion of great toe |
Flexor Digiti Minimi | | | MTP flexion of 5th toe |
dorsal interossei | | | abduction of toes 2-4 |
plantar interossei | | | adduction of toes |
Scalenes | transverse processes of c3-C7 | first and second ribs | bilateral: neck flexion
unilateral: lateral flexion |