MECH 5970/6970 – Biomechanical Engineering – Muscles of Interest Separated by Joint - SHORT
Abdomen
Rectus abdominis
Action: flexion and lateral flexion of the trunk
Shoulder
Trapezius
Action: Elevates, depresses (depends on area of muscle being activated), adducts and upwardly rotates the scapulae
Latissimus dorsi
Action: Adducts, extends, internally rotates, and horizontally abducts the arm
Pectoralis major
Action: Adducts, flexes, extends (depends on fibers being recruited), internally rotates and horizontally adducts the arm
Deltoid Anterior
Action: Abducts, flexion, internally rotates and horizontally adducts the arm
Deltoid Medial
Action: Abducts the arm
Deltoid Posterior
Action: Abducts, extends, externally rotates and horizontally abducts the arm
Biceps brachii
Action: Flexion of the elbow and shoulder, supination of the forearm
Triceps brachii
Action: Extends the elbow, adducts and extends the shoulder (long head)
Elbow joint
Biceps brachii
Action: Flexion of the elbow and shoulder, supination of the forearm
Brachialis
Action: Flexion of the elbow
Triceps brachii
Action: Extends the elbow, adducts and extends the shoulder (long head)
Wrist and Hand
Flexor carpi radialis
Action: Flexes and abducts the wrist
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Action: Flexes and adducts the wrist
Extensor carpi radialis longus
Action: Extends and adducts the wrist
Extensor digitorum
Action: Extends the wrist
Page 1 of 2
MECH 5970/6970 – Biomechanical Engineering – Muscles of Interest Separated by Joint - SHORT
Hip Joint
Sartorius
Action: flexion, external rotation, and abduction at the hip, flexion and internal rotation at the knee
Rectus femoris (portion of quadriceps)
Action: hip flexion and knee extension
Semimembranosus (hamstrings)
Action: extension at the hip, and flexion and internal rotation at the knee
Semitendinosus (hamstrings)
Action: extension and internal rotation at the hip, flexion and internal rotation at the knee
Biceps femoris (hamstrings)
Action: extension at the hip, external rotation and flexion at the knee
Gluteus maximus
Action: extension, external rotation
Knee
Sartorius
Action: flexion, external rotation, and abduction at the hip, flexion and internal rotation at the knee
Rectus femoris (quadriceps)
Action: hip flexion and knee extension
Semimembranosus (hamstrings)
Action: extension at the hip, and flexion and internal rotation at the knee
Semitendinosus (hamstrings)
Action: extension and internal rotation at the hip, flexion and internal rotation at the knee
Biceps femoris (hamstrings)
Action: extension at the hip, external rotation and flexion at the knee
Vastus lateralis (quadriceps)
Action: knee extension
Vastus medialis (quadriceps)
Action: knee extension
Vastus Intermedius (quadriceps)
Action: knee extension
Gastrocnemius
Action: plantarflexion of the foot, flexion of the knee
Ankle Joint
Tibialis anterior
Action: dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot
Soleus
Action: plantarflexion
Gastrocnemius
Action: plantarflexion of the foot, flexion of the knee
Page 2 of 2