Muscles of Facial Expression
Region/Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Buccinator
Alveolar processes
of maxillary bone
and mandible
Blends into
fibers of
orbicularis
oris
Compresses cheeks
Facial nerve (N
VII)
Depressor labii
inferioris
Mandible between
the anterior midline
and the mental
foramen
Skin of
lower lip
Depresses lip
As above
Levator labii
superioris
Lower margin of
Orbicularis
orbit, superior to the oris
infraorbital foramen
Elevates upper lip
As above
Mentalis
Incisive fossa of
mandible
Skin of chin
Elevates and protrudes
lower lip
As above
Orbicularis oris
Maxillary bone and
mandible
Lips
Compresses, purses lips
As above
Risorius
Fascia surrounding
parotid salivary
gland
Angle of
mouth
Draws corner of mouth to As above
the side
Depressor anguli
oris
Anterolateral
surface of
mandibular body
Skin at
angle of
mouth
Depresses corner of
mouth
As above
Zygomaticus
major
Zygomatic bone
near the
zygomaticomaxillary suture
Angle of
mouth
Retracts and elevates
corner of mouth
As above
Zygomaticus
minor
Zygomatic bone
Upper lip
posterior to
zygomaticotemporal
suture
Retracts and elevates
corner of mouth
As above
Mouth
Eye
Levator palpebrae Tendinous band
superioris (not
around optic
shown)
foramen
Upper
eyelid
Elevates upper eyelid
Oculomotor
nerve
(N III)*
Orbicularis oculi
Medial margin of
orbit
Skin around
eyelids
Closes eye
Facial nerve (N
VII)
Nasal bones and
Aponeurosis Moves nose, changes
Nose
Procerus
As above
Nasalis
lateral nasal
cartilages
at bridge of
nose and
skin of
forehead
position and shape of
nostrils
Maxillary bone and
alar cartilage of
nose
Bridge of
nose
Compresses bridge,
depresses tip of nose;
elevates corners of
nostrils
As above
Ear (extrinsic)
Temporoparietalis Fascia around
external ear
Galea
Tenses scalp, moves
aponeurotica pinna of ear
As above
Skin of
Raises eyebrows,
eyebrow and wrinkles forehead
bridge of
nose
As above
Scalp (Epicranius)
Frontalis
Galea aponeurotica
Occipitalis
Superior nuchal line Galea
Tenses and retracts scalp
aponeurotica
As above
Upper thorax
Mandible
between cartilage of and skin of
second rib and
cheek
acromion of scapula
As above
Neck
Platysma
Tenses skin of neck,
depresses mandible
Muscles of Mastication
Muscle
Origin
Masseter
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Zygomatic arch Lateral
surface of
mandibular
ramus
Elevates
mandible
Trigeminal
nerve (N V),
mandibular
branch
Temporalis
Along temporal Coronoid
lines of skull
process of
mandible
Elevates
mandible
As above
Pterygoids
(medial and
lateral)
Lateral
pterygoid plate
Medial: Elevates As above
the mandible
and closes the
jaws, or moves
mandible side to
side
Medial
surface of
mandibular
ramus
Lateral: Opens
jaws, protrudes
mandible, or
As above
moves mandible
side to side
Anterior Muscles of the Neck
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Digastric
Two
Hyoid bone
bellies:
posterior
from
mastoid
region of
temporal;
anterior
from
inferior
surface of
mandible at
chin
Depresses
Trigeminal nerve
mandible and/or (N V), mandibular
elevates larynx branch, to anterior
belly
Geniohyoid
Medial
Hyoid bone
surface of
mandible at
chin
As above and
Cervical nerve C1
pulls hyoid bone via hypoglossal
anteriorally
nerve (N XII)
Mylohyoid
Mylohyoid
line of
mandible
Median
connective
tissue band
(raphe) that
runs to hyoid
bone
Elevates floor of Trigeminal nerve
mouth, elevates (N V), mandibular
hyoid bone,
branch
and/or depresses
mandible
Omohyoid
Central
tendon
attaches to
clavicle and
1st rib
Two bellies:
superior
attaches to
hyoid bone;
inferior to
superior
margin of
scapula
Depresses hyoid Cervical spinal
bone and larynx nerves C2-C3
Sternohyoid
Clavicle
Hyoid bone
and
manubrium
As above
Cervical spinal
nerves C1-C3
Sternothyroid
Dorsal
Thyroid
surface of
cartilage of
manubrium larynx
and 1st
costal
cartilage
As above
As above
Facial nerve (N
VII) to posterior
belly
Stylohyoid
Styloid
process of
temporal
bone
Hyoid bone
Elevates larynx
Facial nerve (N
VII)
Thyrohyoid
Thyroid
cartilage of
larynx
Hyoid bone
Elevates
thyroid,
depresses hyoid
bone
Cervical spinal
nerves C1-C2 via
hypoglossal nerve
(N XII)
Together, they
flex the neck;
alone, one side
bends head
toward shoulder
and turns face to
opposite side
Accessory nerve
(N XI) and
cervical spinal
nerves (C2-C3) of
cervical plexus
Sternocleidomastoid Two
Mastoid region
bellies:
of skull
clavicular
head
attaches to
sternal end
of clavicle;
sternal
head
attaches to
manubrium
Oblique and Rectus Muscles*
Group/Muscl
e
Origin
Insertion Action
Innervation
OBLIQUE GROUP
Cervical region
Scalenes
Transverse and costal processes Superior surfaces
of cervical vertebrae
of first two ribs
Elevates ribs
Cervical
and/or flexes neck spinal nerves
Thoracic region
External
intercostals
Inferior
border of
each rib
Superior
Elevate ribs
border of the
next rib
Intercostal nerves (branches of
thoracic spinal nerves)
Internal
intercostals
Superior
border of
each rib
Inferior
Depress ribs
border of the
previous rib
As above
Transversus
thoracis
Medial
surface of
sternum
Cartilages of As above
ribs
As above
Abdominal region
External
oblique
Lower eight ribs
Linea
alba
and
iliac
Compresses
abdomen,
depresses
ribs, flexes
Intercostal, iliohypogastric, and
ilioinguinal nerves
crest
or bends
spine
Internal
oblique
Lumbodorsal
fascia and iliac
crest
Lower As above
ribs,
xiphoi
d
process
, and
linea
alba
As above
Transversus
abdominis
Cartilages of lower
ribs, iliac crest,
and lumbodorsal
fascia
Linea
alba
and
pubis
As above
Compresses
abdomen
RECTUS GROUP
Thoracic region
Diaphragm
Xiphoid
process,
cartilages of
ribs 4-10,
and anterior
surfaces of
lumbar
vertebrae
Central
Contraction
Phrenic nerves (C3-C5)
tendinous expands
sheet
thoracic cavity,
compresses
abdominopelvic
cavity
Abdominal region
Rectus
abdominis
Superior
surface of
pubis around
symphysis
Inferior surfaces Depresses ribs,
of costal
flexes vertebral
cartilages (ribs
column
5-7) and xiphoid
process
Intercostal nerves (T7-T12)
Muscles That Move the Pectoral Girdle
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Levator
scapulae
Transverse
processes of
first 4
cervical
vertebrae
Vertebral
border of
scapula near
superior angle
Elevates scapula
Cervical nerves C3-C4 and
dorsal scapular nerve (C5)
Pectoralis
minor
Ventral
surfaces of
ribs 3-5
Coracoid
process of
scapula
Depresses and
protracts shoulder;
rotates scapula so
glenoid cavity moves
Medial pectoral nerve (C8,
T1 )
inferiorly (downward
rotation); elevates ribs
if scapula is stationary
Rhomboideus Spinous
major
processes of
upper
thoracic
vertebrae
Vertebral
Adducts and performs Dorsal scapular nerve (C5)
border of
downward rotation
scapula from
spine to inferior
angle
Rhomboideus Spinous
minor
processes of
vertebrae C7T1
Vertebral
border of
scapula near
spine
As above
As above
Serratus
anterior
Anterior and
superior
margins of
ribs 1-9
Anterior
surface of
vertebral border
of scapula
Protracts shoulder,
rotates scapula so
glenoid cavity moves
superiorly (upward
rotation)
Long thoracic nerve (C5C7 )
Subclavius
First rib
Clavicle
(inferior
border)
Depresses and
protracts shoulder
Subclavian nerve
Trapezius
Occipital
bone,
ligamentum
nuchae, and
spinous
processes of
thoracic
vertebrae
Clavicle and
scapula
(acromion and
scapular spine)
Depends on active
region and state of
other muscles; may
elevate, retract,
depress, or rotate
scapula upward
and/or elevate
clavicle; can also
extend head and neck
Accessory nerve (N XI)
and cervical spinal nerves
(C3-C4)
Muscles That Move the Arm
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Coracobrachialis Coracoid
process
Medial
margin of
shaft of
humerus
Adducts Musculocutaneous
and
nerve (C5-C7)
flexes
humerus
Deltoid
Clavicle and
scapula
(acromion
and adjacent
scapular
spine)
Deltoid
tuberosity of
humerus
Abducts Axillary nerve
humerus (C5-C6)
Supraspinatus
Supraspinous Greater
Abducts Suprascapular
fossa of
scapula
tubercle of
humerus
humerus nerve (C5)
Infraspinatus
Infraspinous
fossa of
scapula
Greater
tubercle of
humerus
Lateral Suprascapular
rotation nerve (C5-C6)
of
humerus
Subscapularis
Subscapular
fossa of
scapula
Lesser
tubercle of
humerus
Medial Subscapular
rotation nerves (C5-C6)
of
humerus
Teres major
Inferior
angle of
scapula
Medial lip of
the
intertubercular
groove of the
humerus
Extends, Lower
adducts, subscapular nerve
and
(C5-C6)
medially
rotates
humerus
Teres minor
Lateral
border of
scapula
Greater
tubercle of
humerus
Lateral Axillary nerve
rotation (C5)
of
humerus
Triceps brachii
(long head)
See Table 11-13
Latissimus dorsi Spinous
processes of
lower
thoracic and
all lumbar
vertebrae,
ribs 8-12,
and the
lumbodorsal
fascia
Floor of the
intertubercular
groove of the
humerus
Extends, Thoracodorsal
adducts, nerve (C6-C8)
and
medially
rotates
humerus
Pectoralis major
Crest of
greater
tubercle and
lateral lip of
intertubercular
groove of
humerus
Flexes, Pectoral nerves
adducts, (C5-T1)
and
medially
rotates
humerus
Cartilages of
ribs 2-6,
body of
sternum, and
inferior,
medial
portion of
clavicle
Muscles That Move the Forearm and Hand
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
PRIMARY ACTION AT THE ELBOW
Action
Innervation
Flexors
Biceps brachii
Short head
Tuberosity of
from the
radius
coracoid
process; long
head from the
supraglenoid
tubercle (both
on the
scapula)
Flexes elbow
and supinates
forearm;
flexes arm
Musculocutaneous nerve (C5C6 )
Brachialis
Anterior,
distal surface
of
Flexes elbow
As above and radial nerve
(C7-C8)
Brachioradiali
s
Lateral
Lateral aspect
epicondyle of of styloid
humerus
process of
radius
As above
Radial nerve (C5-C6)
Extends elbow;
moves ulna
laterally during
pronation
Radial nerve (C7-C8)
Tuberosity of
ulna
Extensors
Anconeus
Posterior
surface of
lateral
epicondyle of
humerus
Lateral
margin of
olecranon on
ulna
Triceps brachii .
lateral head
Superior, lateral
Olecranon process of
margin of humerus ulna
Extends elbow
As above
long head
Infraglenoid
As above
tubercle of scapula
As above
As above
medial head
Posterior surface
of humerus
inferior to radial
groove
As above
As above
As above
PRONATORS / SUPINATORS
Pronator
quadratus
Medial
surface of
distal portion
of ulna
Anterolateral Pronates
surface of
forearm
distal
portion of
radius
Median nerve (C8-T1)
Pronator teres
Medial
Distal lateral As above Median nerve (C6-C7)
epicondyle of surface of
humerus and radius
coronoid
process of
ulna
Supinator
Lateral
epicondyle of
humerus and
ridge of
proximal ulna
Anterolateral Supinates Deep radial nerve (C6)
surface of
forearm
radius distal
to the radial
tuberosity
PRIMARY ACTION AT THE HAND
Flexors
Flexor carpi
radialis
Medial epicondyle
of humerus
Bases of 2nd and
3rd metacarpal
bones
Flexes and
abducts wrist
Median nerve (C6C7 )
Flexor carpi
ulnaris
Medial epicondyle
of humerus;
adjacent medial
surface of
olecranon and
anteromedial
portion of ulna
Pisiform bone,
hamate bone, and
base of 5th
metacarpal bone
Flexes and
adducts wrist
Ulnar nerve (C8T1 )
Palmaris
longus
Medial epicondyle
of humerus
Palmar aponeurosis
and flexor
retinaculum
Flexes wrist
Median nerve (C6C7 )
Extensor carpi
radialis longus
Lateral
supracondylar
ridge of humerus
Base of 2nd
metacarpal bone
Extends and
abducts wrist
Radial nerve (C6C7 )
Extensor carpi
radialis brevis
Lateral epicondyle
of humerus
Base of 3rd
metacarpal bone
As above
As above
Extensor carpi
ulnaris
Lateral epicondyle
of humerus;
adjacent dorsal
surface of ulna
Base of 5th
metacarpal bone
Extends and
adducts wrist
Deep radial nerve
(C6-C8)
Extensors
Muscles That Move the Fingers and Hand
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Abductor
pollicis
longus
Proximal dorsal
surfaces of ulna and
radius
Lateral margin of 1st
metacarpal bone
Abducts thumb
Deep radial nerve
(C6-C7)
Extensor
digitorum
Lateral epicondyle of
humerus
Posterior surfaces of the Extends fingers
phalanges, fingers 2-5
and hand
Deep radial nerve
(C6-C8)
Extensor
pollicis
brevis
Shaft of radius distal to Base of proximal
pollicis longus
phalanx of thumb
Extends thumb,
abducts hand
Deep radial nerve
(C6-C7)
Extensor
Posterior and lateral
Extends thumb,
Deep radial nerve
Base of distal phalanx
pollicis
longus
surfaces of ulna and
of thumb
interosseous membrane
abducts hand
(C6-C8)
Extensor
indicis
Posterior surface of
ulna and interosseous
membrane
Posterior surface of
phalanges of little (5th)
finger, with tendon of
extensor digitorum
Extends and
adducts little
finger
As above
Extensor
digiti
minimi
Via extensor tendon to
lateral epicondyle of
humerus, and from
intermuscular septa
Posterior surface of
proximal phalanx of
little finger
Extends little
finger
As above
Midlateral surfaces of
middle phalanges of
fingers 2-5
Flexes fingers,
specifically
middle phalanx
or proximal
phalanx; flexes
wrist
Median nerve (C7T1 )
Flexor
Medial epicondyle of
digitorum
humerus; adjacent
superficialis anterior surfaces of
ulna and radius
Flexor
digitorum
profundus
Medial and posterior
Bases of distal
surfaces of ulna, medial phalanges of fingers 2-5
surface of coronoid
process, and
interosseus membrane
Flexes distal
phalanges and,
to a lesser
degree, the other
phalanges and
hand
Palmar interosseous
nerve, from median
nerve and ulnar
nerve (C8-T1)
Flexor
pollicis
longus
Anterior shaft of radius Base of distal phalanx
and interosseous
of thumb
membrane
Flexes thumb
Median nerve (C8T1 )
Muscles That Move the Thigh
Group/Muscle Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Gluteal group
Gluteus
maximus
Iliac crest of ilium,
sacrum, coccyx,
and lumbodorsal
fascia
Gluteus
medius
Gluteus
minimus
Iliotibial tract
and gluteal
tuberosity of
femur
Extends and
laterally rotates
thigh
Inferior gluteal nerve (L5S2)
Anterior iliac crest Greater
of ilium, lateral
trochanter of
surface between
femur
posterior and
anterior gluteal
lines
Abducts and
medially rotates
thigh
Superior gluteal nerve
(L4-S1)
Lateral surface of
ilium between
inferior and
anterior gluteal
lines
Abducts and
medially rotates
thigh
As above
Greater
trochanter of
femur
Tensor fasciae
latae
Iliac crest and
lateral surface of
anterior superior
iliac spine
Iliotibial tract
Flexes, abducts,
and medially
rotates thigh;
tenses fascia
lata, which
laterally
supports the
knee
As above
Lateral rotator group
Obturators
(externus and
internus)
Lateral and
medial
margins of
obturator
foramen
Trochanteric
fossa of femur
(externus);
medial surface
of greater
trochanter
(internus)
Laterally Obturator nerve (externus: L3-L4)
rotate
and special nerve from sacral plexus
thigh
(internus: L5-S2)
Piriformis
Anterolateral Greater
surface of
trochanter of
sacrum
femur
Laterally Branches of sacral nerves (S1-S2)
rotates
and
abducts
thigh
Gemelli
(superior and
inferior)
Ischial spine
and
tuberosity
Medial surface
of greater
trochanter
Laterally Nerves to obturator internus and
rotates
quadratus femoris
thigh
Quadratus
femoris
Lateral
border of
ischial
tuberosity
Intertrochanteric As above Special nerve from sacral plexus
crest of femur
(L4-S1)
Adductor
brevis
Inferior
ramus of
pubis
Linea aspera of
femur
Adducts, medially Obturator nerve (L3-L4)
rotates, and flexes
thigh
Adductor
longus
Inferior
ramus of
pubis
anterior to
adductor
brevis
As above
Adducts, flexes,
and medially
rotates thigh
As above
Adductor
magnus
Inferior
ramus of
pubis
posterior to
adductor
brevis and
ischial
tuberosity
Linear aspera
and adductor
tubercle of
femur
Adducts thigh;
superior portion
flexes and
medially rotates
thigh; inferior
portion extends
and laterally
rotates thigh
Obturator and sciatic nerves
Adductor group
Pectineus
Superior
ramus of
pubis
Pectineal line
inferior to lesser
trochanter of
femur
Flexes, medially
rotates, and
adducts thigh
Femoral nerve (L2-L4)
Gracilis
Inferior
ramus of
pubis
Medial surface
of tibia inferior
to medial
condyle
Flexes leg,
adducts, and
medially rotates
thigh
Obturator nerve (L3-L4)
Iliacus
Iliac fossa of
ilium
Femur distal to
lesser
trochanter;
tendon fused
with that of
psoas
Flexes hip and/or
lumbar spine
Femoral nerve (L2-L3)
Psoas major
Anterior
surfaces and
transverse
processes of
vertebrae
T12-L5
Lesser
trochanter in
company with
iliacus
As above
Branches of the lumbar
plexus (L2-L3)
Iliopsoas group
Muscles That Move the Leg
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
Ischial
tuberosity
and linea
aspera of
femur
Head of fibula, lateral
condyle of tibia
Flexes knee,
extends and
laterally rotates
thigh
Sciatic nerve; tibial
portion (S1-S3; to long
head) and common
peroneal branch (L5S2; to short head)
Semimembranosus Ischial
tuberosity
Posterior surface of
medial condyle of tibia
Flexes knee,
medially rotates
leg, and extends
hip
Sciatic nerve (tibial
portion; L5-S2)
Semitendinosus
Ischial
tuberosity
Proximal, medial surface As above
of tibia near insertion of
gracilis
Sartorius
Anterior
Medial surface of tibia
superior iliac near tibial tuberosity
spine
Flexes knee,
flexes hip, and
laterally rotates
thigh
Femoral nerve (L2-L3)
Popliteus
Lateral
condyle of
femur
Medially rotates
tibia (or laterally
rotates femur)
Tibial nerve (L4-S1)
Flexors of the Knee
Biceps femoris
Posterior surface of
proximal tibial shaft
As above
Extensors of the Knee
Rectus femoris
Anterior
inferior iliac
spine and
superior
acetabular
rim of ilium
Vastus
intermedius
Tibial tuberosity via
patellar ligament
Extends knee,
flexes thigh
Femoral nerve (L2-L4)
Anterolateral As above
surface of
femur and
linea aspera
(distal half)
Extends knee
As above
Vastus lateralis
Anterior and As above
inferior to
greater
trochanter of
femur and
along linea
aspera
(proximal
half)
As above
As above
Vastus medialis
Entire length As above
of linea
aspera of
femur
As above
As above
Extrinsic Muscles That Move the Foot and Toes
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
PRIMARY ACTION AT THE ANKLE
Dorsiflexors
Tibialis
anterior
Lateral
condyle and
proximal
shaft of tibia
Base of 1st
metatarsal bone
and medial
cuneiform bone
Dorsiflexes and
inverts foot
Deep peroneal nerve (L4S1)
Plantar flexors
Gastrocnemiu
s
Femoral
condyles
Calcaneus via
calcaneal tendon
Plantar flexes,
inverts, and adducts
foot; flexes knee
Tibial nerve (S1-S2)
Peroneus
brevis
Midlateral
margin of fibula
Base of 5th
metatarsal bone
Everts and plantar
flexes foot
Superficial peroneal
nerve (L4-S1)
Peroneus
longus
Lateral condyle
Base of 1st
of tibia, head and metatarsal bone
proximal shaft of and medial
Everts and plantar
As above
flexes foot; supports
longitudinal arch
fibula
cuneiform bone
Plantaris
Lateral
supracondylar
ridge
Posterior portion
of calcaneus
Plantar flexes foot;
flexes knee
Tibial nerve (L4-S1)
Soleus
Head and
proximal shaft of
fibula, and
adjacent
posteromedial
shaft of tibia
Calcaneus via
calcaneal tendon
(with
gastrocnemius)
Plantar flexes,
inverts, and adducts
foot
Sciatic nerve, tibial
branch (S1-S2)
Tibialis
posterior
Interosseous
Tarsal and
membrane and
metatarsal bones
adjacent shafts of
tibia and fibula
Adducts, inverts,
and plantar flexes
foot
As above
PRIMARY ACTION AT THE TOES
Digital Flexors
Flexor
digitorum
longus
Posteromedial Inferior
Plantar
surface of
surfaces of
flexes toes
tibia
distal
2-5
phalanges, toes
2-5
Flexor hallucis Posterior
longus
surface of
fibula
Inferior
surface, distal
phalanx of
great toe
Sciatic nerve, tibial branch (L5-S1)
Plantar
Sciatic nerve, tibial branch (L5-S1)
flexes great
toe
Digital Extensors
Extensor
digitorum
longus
Lateral
condyle of
tibia, anterior
surface of
fibula
Superior
Extends
surfaces of
toes 2-5
phalanges, toes
2-5
Deep peroneal nerve (L4-S1)
Extensor
hallucis
longus
Anterior
surface of
fibula
Superior
surface, distal
phalanx of
great toe
As above
Extends
great toe