Muscular movements of the head (at the cervical spine/neck) and
of the torso (thoracic and lumbar spine/upper, middle, and lower
back): flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation.
Muscles of the
Neck and Vertebral
Column
Sternocleidomastoid
(anterior neck)
Origin
Insertion
Action
Manubrium of sternum
and medial clavicle
Mastoid process of
temporal bone
Semispinalis capitis
Semispinalis
cervicis/thoracis
Transverse process of
cervical and thoracic
vertebrae
Occipital bone.
Spinous process of
cervical & thoracic
vertebrae
Splenius capitis
Spinous process of
cervical and thoracic
vertebrae
Mastoid process
and occipital bone
Splenius cervicus
Spinous process of
thoracic vertebrae
Spinalis capitis
(erector spinae)
Spinous process of
cervical and thoracic
vertebrae
Spinous process of
thoracic and lumbar
vertebrae
Transverse process of
vertebrae
Transverse
process of cervical
vertebrae
Occipital bone
Flexion, lateral flexion,
and rotation of the head
at the neck
Extension and rotation of
the head at the neck.
Extension of the neck
and upper back (cervical
and thoracic spine)
Extension (both), lateral
flexion and rotation (one
side) of the head at the
neck
Extension of cervical
spine/neck
Spinalis cervicis and
thoracis
(erector spinae)
Longissimus capitis
(erector spinae)
Longissimus cervicis and
thoracis
(erector spinae)
Iliocostalis cervicis
(erector spinae)
Transverse process of
vertebrae, sacrum
Iliocostalis thoracis and
lumborum (erector
spinae)
Quadratus lumborum
Iliac crest, sacrum, ribs
Ribs
Iliac crest
Extension of the head at
the neck
Superior (upper)
spinous processes
Extension of the upper
spine/back
Mastoid process
Extension (both), lateral
flexion and rotation (one)
of head at the neck
Extension and lateral
flexion of the upper
spine/back
Extension of cervical
spine/upper back
Superior (upper)
transverse
processes
Transverse process
of cervical
vertebrae and
upper ribs
Upper ribs,
transverse process
Transverse process
of lumbar
vertebrae & 12th
rib
Extension of spine/back,
lateral flexion of
spine/back
Lateral flexion of lumbar
spine, stabilization of
pelvis/lumbar spine
Muscles of the
Abdominal Wall
Origin
Rectus abdominis
Pubis: Pubic crest and
symphysis
External oblique
Lower eight ribs
Internal oblique
Transverse abdominis
Insertion
Action
Xiphoid process (of
sternum) and costal
cartilage of ribs (#5-7)
Flexion and lateral flexion
of vertebral column,
compression of abdomen,
stabilization of pelvis
(controls tilt of the pelvis)
Flexion, lateral flexion, and
rotation of vertebral column
Iliac crest and inguinal
ligament
Linea alba, Iliac crest
and pubic bone
Costal cartilage of ribs
#8-10, linea alba
Costal cartilage of ribs and
iliac crest
Linea alba and pubis
(pubic crest)
Compression of abdomen
i.e. forced expiration
Flexion, lateral flexion and
rotation of vertebral column
Other muscles of the Axial Skeleton:
Deep muscles of the vertebral
column
Multifidus, Rotators,
Interspinales,
Intertransversarius
Muscles of the thorax
Scalenes, Intercostals, Diaphram
Can produce some movement
(extension, lateral flexion, and
rotation) of the vertebral column,
but are primarily stabilization
muscles of the vertebrae
These muscles are primarily used
in respiration, although the
scalenes can produce slight
movement of the cervical spine
Scapular movements: Protraction, Retration, Elevation, Depression, Rotation
Muscles of the
Anterior and
Posterior Thorax
(Scapular)
Origin
Insertion
Serratus anterior
Surface of upper 9 ribs
Protraction (abduction)
Vertebral (medial) border
and rotation of the
of scapula
scapula
Trapezius
Occipital bone and spinous
processes of C7 and all
thoracic vertebrae
Clavicle; acromion
process and spine of
scapula
Levator scapulae
Vertebral(medial) border
Transverse process of cervical
Elevation and retraction
of scapula superior to the
(C1-4) vertebrae
(adduction) of scapula
spine
Action
Elevation (upper),
depression (lower),
retraction(adduction),
rotation and stabilization
Retraction, downward
Rhomboids (major and Spinous processes of cervical Vertebral (medial) border
rotation, stabilization of
and thoracic vertebrae
of scapula
minor)
the scapula
Pectoralis minor
Ribs 3-5
Coracoid process of
scapula
Subclavius
Costal cartilage of rib #1
Clavicle
Depression of scapula,
also can elevate ribs when
arms are raised
Stabilization of shoulder
girdle, depression
Humeral movements: Flexion, Extension, Abduction, Adduction, Medial rotation,
Lateral rotation, Circumduction
Muscles Crossing
the Shoulder
Origin
Joint (humeral)
Insertion
Action
Pectoralis major
Clavicle, sternum and costal
cartilage of ribs
Flexion, horizontal
Intertubercular groove of
flexion, internal rotation,
humerus
and adduction of humerus
Latissimus dorsi
Iliac crest, posterior sacrum,
spinous processes of lower
thoracic, lumbar vertebrae
Extension, adduction and
Intertubercular groove of
internal rotation of the
humerus
humerus
Deltoid
Clavicle, acromion, and spine Deltoid tuberosity of
of scapula
humerus
Abduction; flexion and
medial rotation;
extension and lateral
rotation of humerus
Extension, adduction and
Intertubercular groove of
internal rotation of
humerus
humerus
Teres major
Posterior surface of scapula
Teres minor
Axillary (lateral) border of the Greater tubercle of
scapula
humerus
Lateral rotation of
humerus (rotator cuff)
Infraspinatus
Infraspinous fossa of scapula
Greater tubercle of
humerus
Lateral rotation of
humerus (rotator cuff)
Supraspinatus
Supraspinous fossa of scapula
Greater tubercle of
humerus
Assists in abduction
(rotator cuff)
Subscapularis
Subscapular fossa of the
scapula
Lesser tubercle of the
humerus
Medial rotation of the
humerus (rotator cuff)
Coracobrachialis
Coracoid process of the
scapula
Medial surface of humeral Flexion and adduction of
shaft
the humerus
Movements at the wrist: Flexion, Extension, Supination, Pronation
Movements at the fingers: Flexion, Extension
Muscles Crossing
the Elbow Joint or Origin
Wrist joint
Insertion
Action
Triceps brachii
Long head: infraglenoid
tubercle; Medial and Lateral
Olecranon process of ulna
heads: posterior shaft of the
humerus
Extension at the elbow
Biceps brachii
Short head: coracoid process
of scapula; Long head: supra Radial tuberosity of radius
glenoid tubercle of scapula
Flexion at the elbow and
supination at the elbow and
wrist
Brachialis
Humerus
Flexion at the elbow
Brachioradialis
Lateral supracondylar ridge Styloid process of the
of the humerus
radius
Flexion at the elbow
Anconeus
Lateral epicondyle of the
humerus
Olecranon process of ulna
Extension at the elbow,
stabilization
Pronator teres
Medial epicondyle of
humerus; ulna
Lateral surface of radius
Pronation at the elbow and
wrist
Pronator quadratus
Ulna (distal, anterior)
Radius (distal, anterior)
Pronation at the wrist
Supinator
Lateral epicondyle of the
humerus; ulna
Radius (proximal)
Supination at the elbow
Flexor carpi radialis
Medial epicondyle of
humerus
Metacarpals (base, 2-3rd)
Flexion and abduction at
the wrist
Flexor carpi ulnaris
Medial epicondyle of
humerus; ulna
5th metacarpal, pisiform,
hamate (carpals)
Flexion and adduction at
the wrist
Palmaris longus
Medial epicondyle of
humerus
Palmar aponeurosis
Flexion at the wrist
Coronoid process of Ulna
Flexor digitorum
profundus and
superficialis
Humerus, ulna, radius
Flexor Pollicus Longus Radius and ulna
Middle (FDS) and distal
(FDP) phlanges #2-5
Flexion at the wrist and
fingers
Distal phalanx #1
Flexion at the wrist and
thumb
Extensor carpi radialis Lateral supracondylar ridge
Base of 2nd metacarpal
of humerus
longus
Extension and abduction at
the wrist
Extensor carpi radialis Lateral epicondyle of the
humerus
brevis
Lateral epicondyle of the
Extensor carpi Ulnaris
humerus; ulna
Base of 3rd metacarpal
Extension and abduction at
the wrist
Base of 5th metacarpal
Extension and adduction at
the wrist
Extensor digitorum
Lateral epicondyle of the
humerus
Phalanges #2-5
Extension at the wrist and
fingers
Extensor Pollicis
Longus
Ulna
Phalanx #1
Extension at the wrist and
thumb
Muscles
Crossing the
Hip and Knee
Joint
Origin
Insertion
Action
Psoas major
Lumbar vertebrae
Lesser trochanter of
femur
Flexes the hip
Iliacus
Iliac Fossa
Lesser trochanter of the
femur
Flexes the hip
Sartorius
Anterior superior iliac spine
Flexes, adducts and
Medial aspect of proximal
externally rotates the
tibia (pes anserine)
hip, also flexes the knee
Adductor magnus
Ischium and pubis
Linea aspera and
adductor tubercle
Adducts the thigh
Adductor longus
Pubis (Anterior)
Linea aspera
Adducts the thigh
Adductor brevis
Pubis (Inferior)
Linea aspera above
adductor longus
Adducts the thigh
Pectineus
Pubis
Lesser trochanter to linea Adducts, flexes and
aspera of femur
medial rotates the thigh
Gracilis
Pubis (Inferior)
Medial surface of tibia
(pes anserine)
Adducts the thigh, flexes
the knee
Rectus femoris
Anterior inferior iliac spine
Patella and tibial
tuberosity
Extends the knee and
flexes the hip
Vastus lateralis
Greater trochanter , Linea
aspera,and
intertrochanteric line of
femur
Patella and tibial
tuberosity
Extension of the knee
Vastus medialis
Linea aspera,
intertrochanteric line
Patella and tibial
tuberosity
Extension of the knee
Vastus intermedius
Anterior surface of femur
Patella and tibial
tuberosity
Extension of the knee
Tensor fasciae latae
Iliac crest, and anterior
superior iliac spine
Iliotibial tract (IT band)
Flexes and abducts the
hip
Gluteus maximus
Ilium, sacrum, and coccyx
Femur and iliotibial tract
Extends and externally
rotates the hip
Gluteus medius
Lateral surface of the ilium
Greater trochanter of
femur
Abducts and internally
rotates the hip
Gluteus minimus
Lateral surface of the ilium
Greater trochanter of
femur
Abducts and internally
rotates the hip
Biceps femoris
Two heads: Long head,
Ischial tuberosity / Short
head, linea aspera
Head of fibula and lateral Extends the hip and
side of tibia
flexes the knee
Semitendinosis
Ischial tuberosity
Medial Tibia (pes
anserine)
Extends the hip and
flexes the knee
Semimembranosus
Ischial tuberosity
Medial side of the tibia
Extends the hip and
flexes the knee
Popliteus
Posterolateral Femur
Posteromedial Tibia
Flexes the knee
Muscles of The
Origin
Lower Leg
Insertion
Action
Achilles tendon to
calcaneus
Plantarflexion of the
ankle and flexion of the
knee
Gastrocnemius
Two heads from medial
and lateral condyles of
femur
Soleus
Proximal posterior tibia and Achilles tendon to
head of fibula
calcaneus
Plantarflexion of the
ankle
Tibialis anterior
Lateral condyle and shaft
of tibia
medial cuneiform and
first metatarsal
Dorsiflexion and inversion
of the ankle
Tibialis posterior
Tibia and Fibula (Posterior)
Bases of 2-5 metatarsals Plantarflexion and
and cuneiforms
inversion of the ankle
Flexor digitorum longus Tibia (Posterior)
Distal phalanges 2-5
Flexion of the toes and
plantarflexion and
inversion the ankle
Extensor digitorum
longus
Lateral condyle of tibia,
anterior fibula
middle and distal
phalanges 2-5
Toe extension and
Dorsiflexion of the ankle
Flexor hallucis longus
Fibula (Posterior)
Distal phalanx #1
Flexion of the great toe
and plantarflexion and
inversion of the ankle
Extensor hallucis
longus
Fibula (Anterior)
Distal phalanx of big toe
Extension of the big toe,
dorsiflexion of the ankle
Peroneus (fibularis)
tertius
Fibula (Anterior distal)
5th metatarsal
Dorsiflexion and eversion
of the ankle
Peroneus (fibularis)
longus
Head of Fibula
Base of the 1st
metatarsal
Plantarflexion and
eversion of the ankle
Peroneus (fibularis)
brevis
Fibula (Lateral)
Base of the 5th
metatarsal
Plantarflexion and
eversion of the ankle
Plantaris
Lateral condyle of femur
Achilles tendon to
calcaneus
Plantarflexion of the
ankle and flexion of the
knee