UPPER LIMB: muscle origins, insertions, innervations, blood supplies and actions
Region
Shoulder
Muscle
Trapezius
Origin
Vertebrae
(C7T12)
Insertion
Lateral third of
clavicle, Medial
surface of acromion,
spine of scapula
Innervation
Spinal accessory
nerve
Blood Supply
Transverse cervical
artery
Shoulder
Latissimus dorsi
Vertebrae (T3T8)
Deltoid
Lateral third of
clavicle, superior
surface of
acromion,, spine of
scapula
Thoracodorsal nerve
(C6C8)
Axillary nerve (C5,
C6)
Thoracodorsal artery
Shoulder
Intertubercle groove
of humerus
Deltoid tuberosity of
humerus (lateral)
Shoulder
Levator
scapulae
Vertebrae (C1C4)
Superior medial
border of scapula
Dorsal scapular
artery
Shoulder
Rhomboid
minor and major
Medial border of
scapula
Shoulder
(rotator cuff)
Supraspinatus
Minor: C7 and T1
vertebrae
Major: T2T5
vertebrae
Supraspinous fossa
of scapula
3rd and 4th cervical
nerves of cervical
plexus, dorsal
scapular nerve (C5)
Dorsal scapular
nerve (C4,C5)
Greater tubercle of
humerus
Suprascapular nerve
(C5, C6)
Suprascapular artery
Shoulder
(rotator cuff)
Infraspinatus
Infraspinous fossa
of scapula
Greater tubercle of
humerus
Suprascapular nerve
(C5, C6)
Suprascapular artery
Shoulder
(rotator cuff)
Teres minor
Lateral border of
scapula
Greater tubercle of
humerus
Axillary nerve (C5,
C6)
Circumflex scapular
artery
Shoulder
Teres major
Dorsal surface of
inferior angle of
scapula
Intertubercular
groove of humerus
Lower subscapular
nerve (C6, C7)
Circumflex scapular
artery
Shoulder
Subscapularis
Subscapular fossa
Lesser tubercle of
Upper and lower
Subscapular artery
Posterior circumflex
humeral artery
Dorsal scapular
artery
Action
Rotate scapula for full abduction
Upper fibers elevate shoulder
Central fibers retract shoulder
Lower fibers draw scapula
downward
Extends, adducts, medially
rotates the humerus
Abduction of the arm, movement
initiated with supraspinatus
Clavicular portion rotates arm
medially
Spinous portion rotates arm
laterally
Elevates the superior angle of the
scapula
Rotates scapula so that the
glenoid cavity is tilted inferiorly
Retract scapula, rotates it to
depress glenoid gavity
Fix scapula to thoracic wall
Draws humerus towards glenoid
fossa
Initiates abduction of shoulder
Lateral rotator of humerus
Braces head of humerus in the
glenoid fossa
Lateral rotator of humerus
Rotates arm laterally, weakly
adducts arm at shoulder
Draws humerus towards glenoid
fossa
Extends arm from flexed
position
Adducts and medially rotates
arm at shoulder
Helps stabilize shoulder joint
(rotator cuff)
Lateral border of
scapula
humerus
subscapular nerves
(C5, C6)
Prevents anterior displacement of
humerus
Medially rotates and adducts
humerus
Adduction of the arm
Medial rotator of humerus
Shoulder
Pectoralis major
Clavicle, upper half
of sternum
Intertubercular
groove of humerus
Medial and lateral
pectoral nerves
(C5C8)
Thoracoacromial
artery- pectoral
branch
Shoulder
Pectoralis minor
3rd to 5th ribs
Superior surface of
coracoid process
Medial pectoral
nerve (C8,T1)
Thoracoacromial
artery- pectoral
branch
Stabilizes scapula by drawing it
inferiorly and anteriorly against
thoracic wall
Shoulder
Subclavius
1st rib
Inferior surface of
middle third of
clavicle
Nerve to subclavius
(C5, C6)
Thoracoacromial
artery- clavicular
branch
Anchors and depresses clavicle
Shoulder
Serratus anterior
1st8th ribs
Anterior surface of
medial border of
scapula
Long thoracic nerve
(C5C7)
Lateral thoracic
artery
Protracts scapula, holds it against
thoracic wall
Rotates scapula
Arm
(anterior)
Biceps brachii
Radial tuberosity
Musculocutaneous
nerve (C5, C6)
Brachial artery
Powerful supinator of forearm
Flexor of supinated forearm
Arm
(anterior)
Coracobrachialis
Short head:
coracoid process of
scapula
Long head:
Supraglenoid
tubercle of scapula
Coracoid process of
scapula
Medial surface of
humerus
Musculocutaneous
nerve (C6, C7)
Brachial artery
Flexes and adducts arm at the
shoulder
Arm
(anterior)
Brachialis
Distal anterior
humerus
Coronoid process
and tuberosity of the
ulna
Musculocutaneous
nerve (C5, C6)
Brachial artery
Powerful flexor of the forearm at
the elbow
Arm
(posterior)
Triceps bracii
Long head:
infraglenoid
tubercle of scapula
Lateral head:
posterior surface of
Olecranon of the
ulna , fascia of
forearm
Radial nerve
(C6C8)
Deep brachial artery
Extends forearm at the elbow
Long head of triceps can also
extend humerus at the shoulder
joint
Arm
(posterior)
Anconeus
Forearm
(anterior,
superficial)
Pronator teres
Forearm
(anterior,
superficial)
Flexor carpi
radialis
Forearm
(anterior,
superficial)
Forearm
(anterior,
superficial)
Forearm
(anterior,
intermediate)
Flexor
digitorum
superficialis
Forearm
(anterior,
deep)
Flexor
digitorum
profundus
Forearm
(anterior,
deep)
Pronator
quadratus
humerus
Medial head:
posterior surface of
humerus
Lateral epicondyle
of humerus
Lateral surface of
olecranon of ulna
Radial nerve
(C6C8)
Deep brachial artery
Extends forearm at elbow
Humeral head:
medial epicondyle
of humerus
Ulnar head:
coranoid process of
ulna
Medial epicondyle
of humerus
Lateral surface of
radius
Median nerve (C6,
C7)
Anterior ulnar
recurrent artery
Rotates the radius on the ulna
Flexor of forearm at elbow
Base of 2nd
metacarpal
Median nerve (C6,
C7)
Ulnar artery
Flexes hand at wrist joint
Aids in abduction
Palmaris longus
Medial epicondyle
of humerus
Palmar aponeurosis
Median nerve (C6,
C7)
Ulnar artery
Flexes hand at wrist joint
Tightens palmar aponeurosis
Flexor carpi
ulnaris
Humeral head:
medial epicondyle
of humerus
Ulnar head:
Olecranon of ulna
Humeroulnar head:
medial epicondyle
of humerus
Radial head:
superior anterior
radius
Proximal medial
anterior surface of
ulna, interosseus
membrane
Pisiform bone,
Hamate bone
Ulnar nerve (C7, C8)
Ulnar artery
Flexes and adducts had at the
wrist
Middle phalanges of
medial 4 digits
(indexlittle finger)
Median nerve
(C7T1)
Ulnar artery
Flexor of proximal
interphalangeal joints
Flexor of elbow, wrist,
metacarpophalangeal joints
Distal phalanges of
medial 4 digits
(indexlittle finger)
Anterior
interosseous artery
Flexor of distal interphalangeal
joints
Distal medial
surface of ulna
Distal lateral surface
of radius
Medial portion:
ulnar nerve (C8, T1)
Lateral portion:
median nerve (C8,
T1)
Anterior interosseus
nerve from median
nerve (C8,T1)
Anterior
interosseous artery
Pronator of the hand
Assisted by pronator teres
Forearm
(anterior,
deep)
Forearm
(posterior)
Flexor pollicus
longus
Anterior medial
surface of radius
Base of distal
phalanx of thumb
Anterior interosseous
nerve from median
nerve (C8, T1)
Radial nerve
Anterior
interosseous artery
Flexor of distal phalanx of thumb
Brachioradialis
Lateral surface of
distal radius
Forearm
(posterior)
Supinator
Lateral
supracondylar ridge
of the humerus
Lateral epicondyle
of humerus
Radial artery (?)
Flexes forearm
Proximal third of
radius
Deep branch of
radial nerve (C5, C6)
Recurrent
interosseous artery
Rotates radius to supinate the
forearm and hand
Forearm
(posterior)
Abductor
pollicis longus
Posterior surface of
ulna
Base of first
metacarpal bone
Posterior
interosseous nerve
(C7, C8)
Posterior
interosseous artery
Abducts, extends, laterally
rotates thumb at carpometacarpal
joint
Forearm
(posterior)
Extensor
pollicus brevis
Posterior surface of
radius, interosseous
membrane
Base of proximal
phalanx of thumb
Posterior
interosseous nerve
(C7, C8)
Posterior
interosseous artery
Extends proximal phalanx of
thumb at metacarpophalangeal
joint
*lateral boundary of anatomical
snuffbox
Forearm
(posterior)
Extensor carpi
radialis longus
Base of second
metacarpal
Radial nerve (C6,
C7)
Radial artery
Extends and abducts hand at
wrist joint
Forearm
(posterior)
Forearm
(posterior)
Extensor carpi
radialis brevis
Extensor
pollicus longus
Lateral
supracondylar ridge
of the humerus
Lateral epicondyle
of humerus
Posterior surface of
ulna, interosseous
membrane
Base of third
metacarpal
Base of distal
phalanx of thumb
Deep branch of
radial nerve (C7, C8)
Posterior
interosseous nerve
(C7, C8)
Radial artery
Extends and abducts hand at
wrist joint
Extends distal phalanx of thumb
at metacarpophalangeal and
interphalangeal joints
*medial boundary of anatomical
snuffbox
Forearm
(posterior)
Extensor
digitorum
Lateral epicondyle
of humerus
Extensor expansions
of fingers 25
Posterior
interosseous nerve
(C7, C8)
Posterior
interosseous artery
Extension at
metacarpophalangeal and
interphalangeal joints
Wrist extension when fingers are
extended
Forearm
(posterior)
Extensor indices
Posterior surface of
ulna, interosseous
Extensor expansion
of 2nd digit
Posterior
interosseous nerve
Posterior
interosseous artery
Extends all joints of the index
finger
Posterior
interosseous artery
membrane
(C7, C8)
Forearm
(posterior)
Extensor digiti
minimi
Lateral epicondyle
of humerus
Extensor expansion
of the fifth digit
Posterior
interosseous nerve
(C7, C8)
Recurrent
interosseous artery
Extends 5th digit at
metacarpophalangeal and
interphalangeal joints
Wrist extension when fingers are
extended
Forearm
(posterior)
Extensor carpi
ulnaris
Medial side of base
of 5th metacarpal
Posterior
interosseous nerve
(C7, C8)
Ulnar artery
Extends and adducts hand at
wrist joint
Hand
(thenar)
Abductor
pollicis brevis
Lateral epicondyle
of humerus
Posterior border of
ulna
Flexor retinaculum,
tubercle of scaphoid
and trapezium
bones
Lateral side of base
of proximal phalanx
of thumb
Recurrent branch of
median nerve (C8,
T1)
Superficial palmar
branch of radial
artery
Abducts thumb at
carpometacarpal and
metacarpophalangeal joints
Hand
(thenar)
Flexor pollicis
brevis
Lateral side of first
metacarpal bone
Recurrent branch of
median nerve (C8,
T1)
Superficial palmar
branch of radial
artery
Flexes proximal phalanx of
thumb
Hand
(thenar)
Opponens
pollicis
Superficial head:
flexor retinaculum,
trapezium
Deep head: floor of
carpal canal
Flexor retinaculum,
trapezium
Lateral side of first
metacarpal bone
Hand
Adductor
pollicis
Bases of 2nd and 3rd
metacarpals,
capitate bone
Superficial palmar
branch of radial
artery
Deep palmar arterial
arch
Pulls and rotates first metacarpal
in a medial fashion across palm,
opposing thumb against fingers
Adducts proximal phalanx of
thumb toward middle digit
Hand
(hypothenar)
Hand
(hypothenar)
Abductor digiti
minimi
Flexor digiti
minimi brevis
Pisiform bone
Deep branch of ulnar
nerve (C8, T1)
Deep branch of ulnar
nerve (C8, T1)
Ulnar artery
Abducts 5th digit
Hook of hamate
bone, flexor
retinaculum
Converge on
sesamoid bone,
attach to base of
proximal phalanx of
thumb
Base of proximal
phalanx of 5th digit
Base of proximal
phalanx of little
finger
Recurrent branch of
median nerve (C8,
T1)
Deep branch of ulnar
nerve (C8, T1)
Ulnar artery
Flexes proximal phalanx of 5th
digit at metacarpophalangeal
joint
Hand
(hypothenar)
Opponens digiti
minimi
Hook of hamate
bone, flexor
retinaculum
Palmar surface of
body of 5th
metacarpal
Deep branch of ulnar
nerve (C8, T1)
Ulnar artery
Abducts, flexes, laterally rotates
5th metacarpal, enhances cupping
of hand, grip, opposes little
finger to thumb
Hand
Lumbricals 1,2
Lateral tendons of
flexor digitorum
profundis
Lateral sides of
extensor expansions
of digits 2-5
Median nerve (C8,
T1)
Superficial palmar
arterial arch
Hand
Lumbricals 3,4
Medial tendons of
flexor digitorum
profundis
Lateral sides of
extensor expansions
of digits 2-5
Deep branch of ulnar
nerve (C8, T1)
Superficial palmar
arterial arch
Hand
Palmar
interosseous
muscles (3 total)
Palmar surfaces of
metacarpal bones of
digits 2, 4, 5
Deep branch of ulnar
nerve (C8, T1)
Palmar metacarpal
arterial arch
Hand
Dorsal
interosseous
muscles (4 total)
Arise by 2 heads
from adjacent sides
of the metacarpal
bones
Extensor expansions
of digits and bases of
proximal phalanges
of digits 2, 4, 5
Base of the proximal
phalanx and
aponeurosis that
forms extensor
expansion of digits
24
Deep palmar branch
of ulnar nerve (C8,
T1)
Dorsal and palmar
metacarpal arterial
arch
Flex metacarpophalangeal joint
Extend interphalangeal joint
Prevent extensor digitorum from
hyperextending wrist
Flex metacarpophalangeal joint
Extend interphalangeal joint
Prevent extensor digitorum from
hyperextending wrist
Adduct fingers at the
metacarpophalangeal joint
(towards middle finger)
Abducts fingers away from
middle finger
Flex fingers at
metacarpophalangeal joints
Extend 2 distal phalanges at
interphalangeal joint