Biceps
Location: The biceps is a muscle on the front part of the upper arm.
 There is a short head and a long head which both work together as
a single muscle.
Attachment: The biceps origin is located at the Scapula in the shoulder
joint and inserts into the radius and ulna past the elbow joint by the
biceps tendon.
Function: When the biceps contracts it pulls the forearm up.
Joint: The insertion is just past the elbow joint.
Joint Type: Hinge Joint
Triceps
Location: The triceps is a muscle on the back part of the upper arm.
 There is a lateral, medial and long head that all work together as a
connective immovable muscle.
Attachment: The triceps origin is at the humerus and the scapula and
inserts into the ulna.
Function: Triceps are primarily responsible for extending the elbow.
Joint: The insertion is at the elbow joint.
Joint Type: Hinge Joint
Deltoids
Location: The deltoid is located on the upper most part of the arm and
the top of the shoulder.
 It is named after the Greek letter delta that is shaped like an
equilateral triangle.
Attachment: The deltoids origin is at the clavicle and scapula and inserts
into the humerus
Function: The major function of the scapula is that it lifts the whole arm
 The anterior fibers flex and medially rotate the arm
 The lateral fibers abduct the arm
 The posterior fibers extends and laterally rotates the arm
Joint Type: Ball and Socket
Trapezius
Location: The trapezius is located on most of the upper back and the
posterior of the neck.
 There are two trapezius muscles a left and a right that are
symmetrical and meet at the vertebral column
Attachment: The trapezius’ origin is at the occipital bone (cranium) and
the cervical/thoracic vertebrae and inserts into the clavicle and scapula
Function: The major function of the trapezius is to raise the shoulders
(shrugging)
 It can also extend the head and neck
Joint: The insertion point is at the clavicle and scapula which form the
shoulder joint.
Joint Type: Ball and Socket
Pectoralis Major
Location: The pectoralis major covers much of the front upper chest.
 It is a large fan-shaped muscle.
Attachment: The pectoralis major’s origin is at the sternum and the
cartilage of the second through the sixth rib. The insertion attaches to the
clavicle and the humerus just below the shoulder.
Function: The major function of the pectoralis major is to move the
shoulder and arm toward the chest.
Joint: The insertion point is just past the shoulder on the humerus.
Joint Type: Ball and Socket
Latissimus Dorsi
Location: The latissimus dorsi runs obliquely, laterally, and superiorly
through the back and armpits.
 The name means “broadest muscle of the back.” It is one of the
widest muscles in the human body. The shape is triangular.
Attachment: The latissimus dorsi has origins at the thoracic and lumbar
vertebrae, sacrum, pelvis and the four most inferior ribs and inserts into
the back of the humerus.
Function: The major function of the latissimus dorsi is to pull the arm
towards the back.
Joint: The insertion point is on the back of the humerus which lies
below the shoulder.
Joint Type: Ball and Socket
Gluteus Maximus
Location: The gluteus maximus covers a large part of the buttocks.
 The gluteus maximus is the strongest muscle in the body.
Attachment: The gluteus maximus has origin at the pelvis, sacrum and
coccyx and inserts into the femur.
Function: The major function of the gluteus maximus is to straighten
the leg and hip.
 It is also used to raise the body from a seated position.
Joint: The insertion point is just past the hip on the femur.
Joint Type: Ball and Socket
Abdominals
Location: The abdominals are located between the ribs and the pelvis on
the front of the body.
 We have four main abdominal muscle groups; the transverse
abdominis, the rectus abdominis, the external oblique muscles and
the internal oblique muscles.
Attachment: The abdomen originates from the thoracic diaphragm and
inserts into the pelvis and between the lumbar vertebrae and sacrum.
Function: The major function of the abdomen is to flex the trunk.
 Helps hold organs in place by regulating internal abdominal
pressure.
Hamstrings
Location: The hamstrings are located on the back of the upper leg.
 The hamstrings are comprised of three separate muscles; the biceps
femoris, the semitendinosus, and the semimembranosus.
Attachment: The hamstrings originate just underneath of the gluteus
maximus on the pelvic bone and inserts into the tibia.
Function: The major function of the hamstrings is to bend the knee and
to extend the hip (moving the leg backwards).
Joint: The insertion point is just past the knee on the tibia.
Joint Type: Hinge Joint
Quadriceps
Location: The quadriceps are located on the front of the upper leg
(thigh).
 The Latin word quadriceps means “four headed.” The four muscles
are the; rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus
intermedius.
Attachment: The vastus lateralis, medialis and intermedius originate
from the femur and insert into the patella (knee). The rectus femoris
originates from the pelvis and inserts into the patella.
Function: The major function of the quadriceps is to straighten the knee
and raise the leg at the hip.
Joint: The insertion point is on the patella.
Joint Type: Hinge Joint
Sartorius
Location: The Sartorius muscle is located on the anterior region of the
thigh.
 The Sartorius muscle is the longest muscle in the entire body.
Attachment: The Sartorius originates at the pelvis where it then crosses
the hip joint and thigh. It then runs down the interior of the knee and
descends to insert on the inside of the tibia.
Function: The major function of the Sartorius is rotate the thigh at the
hip. It also helps to flex the leg. These functions working together pulls
the foot and ankle toward the knee of the opposite leg.
Joint: It works upon both the knee and the hip joints.
Joint Type: Ball and Socket and Hinge Joint
Gastrocnemius
Location: The gastrocnemius is located on the back of the lower leg
(calf).
 The gastrocnemius has two immovable ends (heads); the medial
head and the lateral head.
Attachment: The gastrocnemius originates at the femur (one from the
outside/lateral of the femur and the other from the center/medial of the
femur. The bottom of the muscle inserts at the Achilles tendon which
descends to the heel and inserts into the calcaneus.
Function: The gastrocnemius has the major function of raising you up
on your toes.
Joint: The insertion is just past the ankle in the heel.
Joint Type: Hinge Joint
Anterior Tibialis
Location: The anterior tibialis is located on the front of the lower leg
(shin).
 The gastrocnemius has two immovable ends (heads); the medial
head and the lateral head.
Attachment: The anterior tibialis originates at the tibia and runs down
the shin and inserts at a tendon that crosses the ankle and attaches to the
foot. In the foot the tendon inserts into the metatarsals.
Function: The major function of the anterior tibialis is that it pulls the
foot up towards the lower leg.
Joint: Insertion is past the ankle on the foot.
Joint Type: Hinge Joint
Sternocleidomastoid
Location: The sternocleidomastoid is a long muscle on the side of the
neck that extends from the thorax (chest) to the skull right behind the
ear.
Attachment: The sternocleidomastoid originates at the inside part of the
clavicle and inserts at the temporal bones (skull) mastoid process,
located near the ear and base of the skull.
Function: The major function of the sternocleidomastoid is to flex the
neck and to turn the head side to side.
 The sternocleidomastoid also helps in forced inspiration while
breathing.