MUSCLE ORIGIN/INSERTION/ACTION/INNERVATION CHART
Muscles of Upper Extremity
Muscle Name / Origin / Insertion / Action / InnervationPectoralis Major / Medial third of clavicle, front of sternum, costal cartilages of ribs 5-7 / Lateral lip of intertubercular groove / Adducts, flexes, medially
rotates arm / Medial and lateral
pectoral
Pectoralis Minor / Ribs 3-5 / Coracoid process of scapula / Protract, depress, medially rotate scapula / Medial pectoral
Subclavius / Upper border of 1st rib / Subclavian groove of clavicle / Protract and depress clavicle / Nerve to subclavius (5th and 6th cervical nerves)
Serratus Anterior / Ribs 1-8 / Ventral surfaces of vertebral (medial) border of scapula / Protract and rotate the scapula / Long thoracic
Trapezius / Occipital bone, spines of
C7 and T1-12, and
ligamentum nuchae / Lateral 1/3 of clavicle, acromion, and spine of scapula / Retract and rotate scapula, tilt head back, upper portions elevate scapula, lower portion can depress scapula / Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve)
Rhomboid Major / Spines of T2-5 / Vertebral (medial) border of
scapula between spine and inf. angle / Retract and rotate the scapula / Dorsal scapular
Rhomboid Minor / Ligamentum nuchae, spines of C7 and T1 / Vertebral border of spine of
scapula / Retract and rotate the scapula / Dorsal scapular
Levator Scapulae / Transverse Processes of C1-4 / Vertebral border of
scapula above spine / Elevate and rotate of scapula / 3rd and 4th cervical spinal nerves and dorsal scapular
Latissimus Dorsi / Thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, spines of T7-T12, and lower 3 ribs / Intertubercular groove of
humerus / Extend, medially rotate, and adduct arm at shoulder / Thoracodorsal
Deltoid / Lateral 1/3 clavicle, acromion, and spine of scapula / Deltoid tuberosity of humerus / Abduct arm; anterior fibers flex the arm, posterior fibers extend the arm / Axillary
Muscle Name / Origin / Insertion / Action / Innervation
Teres Major / Inferior angle of scapula / Lesser tubercle of humerus / Medially rotates and adducts arm at shoulder / Lower subscapular
Teres Minor / Lateral border of scapula / Greater tubercle of humerus / Lateral rotation of arm at shoulder / Axillary
Subscapularis / Subscapular fossa of
scapula / Lesser tubercle of humerus / Medially rotate and adduct arm at shoulder / Upper subscapular
Supraspinatus / Supraspinatus fossa of
scapula / Greater tubercle of humerus / Abduct arm at shoulder / Suprascapular
Infraspinatus / Infraspinatus fossa of
scapula / Greater tubercle of humerus / Lateral rotation of arm at shoulder / Suprascapular
Long Head of Biceps / Supraglenoid tubercle of scapula / Tuberosity of radius and to ulna by the bicipital aponeurosis / Flex forearm at elbow, supinate forearm, and
flex arm at shoulder / Musculocutaneous
Short head of biceps / Coracoid process of scapula / Tuberosity of radius and to ulna by the bicipital aponeurosis / Flex forearm at elbow, supinate forearm, and
flex arm at shoulder / Musculocutaneous
Coracobrachialis / Coracoid process of
scapula / Humerus / Flex arm at shoulder / Musculocutaneous
Brachialis / Humerus / Coronoid process of ulna and
ulnar tuberosity / Flex forearm at elbow / Musculocutaneous
Lateral Head of Triceps / Humerus / Olecranon of ulna / Extend forearm at elbow / Radial
Long Head of Triceps / Infraglenoid tubercle of
scapula / Olecranon of ulna / Extend forearm at elbow / Radial
Medial Head of Triceps / Humerus / Olecranon of ulna / Extend forearm at elbow / Radial
Brachioradialis / Lateral supracondylar line of humerus / Distal radius / Flexes forearm at elbow / Radial
Anconeus / Lateral epicondyle of humerus / Olecranon of ulna / Extend forearm at elbow / Radial
Muscles of the Wrist and Hand
Muscle Name / Origin / Insertion / Action / InnervationExtensor Carpi Radialis Longus and Brevis / Lateral supracondylar ridge (longus) and lateral epicondyle (brevis) of humerus / Base of 2nd metacarpal (long); base of 2nd and 3rd metacarpals (brevis) / Extend and abduct hand at wrist / Radial
Extensor Digitorum / Lateral epicondyle of humerus / Middle and distal phalanges of fingers 2-5 via extensor expansion / Extends digits 2-5 at all joints / Radial
Extensor Digiti Minimi / Lateral epicondyle of humerus / Extensor expansion of digit 5 / Extends digit 5 at all joints / Radial
Extensor Carpi Ulnaris / Lateral epicondyle and ulna / Base of 5th metatarsal / Extends and adducts hand at wrist / Radial
Abductor Pollicis Longus / Radius, ulna and interosseous membrane / Base of 1st metacarpal / Abduct and extend first digit (thumb) at CMC joint / Posterior interosseous
Extensor Pollicis Brevis / Radius and interosseous membrane / Proximal phalanx of thumb / Extend thumb at CMC and MCP joints / Posterior interosseous
Extensor Pollicis Longus / Ulna and interosseous membrane / Distal phalanx of thumb / Extends thumb at CMC, MCP and IP joints / Posterior interosseous
Extensor Indicis / Posterior ulna and interosseous membrane / Extensor expansion of 2nd digit / Extends index finger at all joints / Radial
Supinator / Lateral epicondyle of humerus and ulna / Wraps around lateral surface of radius / Supinates forearm / Radial
Pronator Teres / Medial supracondylar
ridge of humerus and coronoid process of ulna / Lateral surface of radius / Pronate forearm / Median
Flexor Carpi Radialis / Medial epicondyle of humerus / 2nd and 3rd metacarpals / Flex and abduct hand at wrist / Median
Palmaris Longus / Medial epicondyle of humerus / Palmar aponeurosis / Flex hand at wrist, tenses palmar aponeurosis / Median
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris / Medial epicondyle of humerus, olecranon and posterior ulna / Pisiform, hamate, 5th metacarpal / Flex and adduct hand at wrist / Ulnar
Muscle Name / Origin / Insertion / Action / Innervation
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis / Medial epicondyle of humerus, ulna and radius / Middle phalanges of digits 2-5 / Flexes all joints from wrist to middle phalanges of digits 2-5 / Median
Flexor Pollicis Longus / Radius and interosseous
membrane / Distal phalanx of thumb / Flex all 3 joints of thumb / Median
Flexor Digitorum Profundus / Ulna and interosseous
membrane / Distal phalanges of digits 2-5 / Flex hand at wrist, flex all joints digits 2-5 / Median to radial side of muscle; ulnar to ulnar side of muscle
Pronator Quadratus / Distal ulna / Distal radius / Pronates forearm / Median
Abductor Pollicis Brevis / Scaphoid, trapezium and flexor retinaculum / Proximal phalanx of thumb / Abduct thumb / Median
Flexor Pollicis Brevis / Trapezium (superficial);
Trapezoid, capitate (deep) / Radial side of proximal phalanx
(superficial and deep) / Flex thumb at CMC and MCP joints / Median; deep head
by ulnar nerve
Opponens Pollicis / Trapezium, flexor retinaculum / 1st metacarpal / Rotate thumb into opposition with digit 5 / Median
Adductor Pollicis / Capitate, 2nd and 3rd
metacarpals (oblique), 3rd
metacarpal (transverse) / Proximal phalanx of thumb (oblique and transverse) / Adduct thumb / Ulnar
Abductor Digiti Minimi / Pisiform / Proximal phalanx of digit 5 / Abduct digit 5 / Ulnar
Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis / Hook of hamate, flexor retinaculum / Proximal phalanx of digit 5 / Flex digit 5 at MCP / Ulnar
Opponens Digiti Minimi / Flexor retinaculum / 5th metacarpal / Rotate digit 5 into opposition with thumb / Ulnar
Lumbricals of the hand / Tendons of flexor digitorum profundus / extensor expansion of digits 2-5 / Flex digits 2-5 at MCP joints, extend digits 2-5 at IP
joints / Lateral two, median;
medial two, ulnar
Dorsal interossei of hand (4) / Adjacents sides of two metacarpals / Extensor expansion of digits 2-4 / Abduct digits 2-4; assist lumbrical actions / Ulnar
Palmar interossei (3) / 2nd, 4th and 5th metacarpals / Extensor expansion of digits 2, 4, 5 / Adduct digits 2,4, and 5; assist lumbrical actions / Ulnar
Muscles of the Thorax
Muscle Name / Origin / Insertion / Action / InnervationExternal Intercostals / Lower border of superior rib / Upper border of inferior rib / Elevate ribs during inspiration / Intercostal nerves
Internal Intercostals / Inner surface of superior rib / Upper border of inferior rib / Draw ribs downward during forced expiration / Intercostal nerves
Transversus Thoracis / Inner surface of body;
xiphoid process / Costal cartilages of ribs 2-6 / Draw ribs downward / Intercostal nerves
Quadratus Lumborum / Iliac crest / 12th rib, transverse process of
lumbar vertebrae / Lateral flexion of spinal column at lumbar vertebrae / Branches of ventral
rami of L1-4
Psoas Major / Upper 4 lumbar transverse processes; last thoracic; upper 4 lumbar discs / Lesser trochanter of femur / Flexes thigh at hip / Branches of ventral rami
of lumbar nerves L1-L3
Psoas Minor / Bodies of T12 and L1 / Iliopsoas fascia and pectinal line of pubis / Flexes thigh at hip / Ventral ramus of L1, L2
Iliacus / Iliac fossa / Lesser trochanter of femur / Flexor thigh at hip / Femoral nerve
Rectus Abdominis / Pubic crest, pubic symphysis / Costal cartilages 5-7; xiphoid process / Flex vertebral column and
compress abdomen; stabilizes pelvis / T7-T11 intercostal
and subcostal (12th
thoracic)
External Oblique / Lower 8 ribs (5-12) / Anterior iliac crest, linea alba, pubic tubercle / Compress abdomen; both sides flex vertebral column, one side (unilateral contraction) rotates vertebral column to opposite side / T7-T11 intercostal
and subcostal
Internal Oblique / Lumbar fascia, iliac crest and lateral half of inguinal
ligament / Ribs 10-12, linea
alba, pectineal line (via conjoint tendon) / Compress abdomen; both sides flex vertebral column, unilateral contraction rotates vertebral column to same side / T7-T11 intercostal, subcostal
iliohypogastic and
ilioinguinal
Transverse Abdominus / Internal surface of costal cartilage of ribs 7-12; lumbar fascia, iliac crest, lateral 1/3 of inguinal ligament / Linea alba, pubic crest, pectineal line (via conjoint tendon) / Compress abdomen / T7-T11 intercostal, subcostal
iliohypogastic and
ilioinguinal
Muscles of the Thigh
Muscle Name / Origin / Insertion / Action / InnervationRectus Femoris
(Part of Quadriceps Femoris) / Anterior inferior iliac spine / Patella and tibial tuberosity
through patellar ligament / Extend leg at knee and flex thigh at hip / Femoral
Vastus Lateralis
(Part of Quadriceps Femoris) / Greater trochanter of femur, lateral lip of linea aspera / Patella and tibial tuberosity
through patellar ligament / Extend leg at knee / Femoral
Vastus Medialis
(Part of Quadriceps Femoris) / Intertrochanteric line; medial lip of linea aspera / Patella and tibial tuberosity
through patellar ligament / Extend leg at knee / Femoral
Vastus Intermedius
(Part of Quadriceps Femoris) / Shaft of femur / Patella and tibial tuberosity
through patellar ligament / Extend leg at knee / Femoral
Sartorius / Anterior superior iliac spine / Medial surface of tibia / Laterally rotate and flex thigh at hip, flex leg at knee / Femoral
Pectineus / Pectineal line of pubis / Pectineal line of femur / Flex, adduct thigh at hip / Femoral
Adductor Longus / Body of pubis / Medial lip of linea aspera / Flex, adduct thigh at hip / Obturator
Adductor Brevis / Body and inferior ramus
of pubis / Pecitineal line of femur and proximal linea aspera / Flex, adduct thigh at hip / Obturator
Adductor Magnus* / Inferior ramus of pubis, ramus of ischium and
ischial tuberosity / Gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera and adductor tubercle / Upper: Adduct, flex thigh at hip
Lower: Adduct, extend thigh at hip / Upper: Obturator
Lower: Tibial sciatic
Gracilis / Body of pubis / Medial surface of tibia / Adduct thigh at hip, flexes leg at knee / Obturator
Gluteus Maximus / Ilium and sacrum / Iliotibial tract and gluteal
tuberosity of femur / Extend and laterally rotate thigh at hip / Inferior gluteal
Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Minimus* / Ilium / Greater trochanter of femur / Abduct thigh at hip; Anterior: Flex and medially rotate thigh
Posterior: Extend and laterally rotate thigh / Superior gluteal
Muscle Name / Origin / Insertion / Action / Innervation
Tensor Fasciae Latae / Iliac crest and anterior superior iliac spine / Iliotibial tract (to lateral condyle of tibia) / Flex, abduct thigh at hip / Superior gluteal
Piriformis
Superior Gemellus
Inferior Gemellus
Obturator Internus
Quadratus Femoris
Obturator Externus / Pelvis / Greater trochanter and posterior part of femur / Lateral rotators of thigh at hip / Nerve to “muscle
name”
Biceps Femoris / Long head: ischial tuberosity
Short head: linea aspera / Fibular head / Flex leg at knee, extend thigh at hip / Long head: Tibial sciatic
Short head: Common peroneal sciatic
Semimembranosus / Ischial tuberosity / Medial condyle of tibia / Flex leg at knee, extend thigh at hip / Tibial sciatic
Semitendinosus / Ischial tuberosity / Medial surface of tibia / Flex leg at knee, extend thigh at hip / Tibial sciatic
Muscles of the Leg
Tibialis Anterior / Lateral condyle and surface of tibia / Medial cuneiform and 1st
metatarsal / Dorsiflex and invert foot / Deep peroneal
Extensor Digitorum Longus / Lateral condyle of tibia
and surface of fibula / Middle and distal phalanges of toes 2-5 / Dorsiflex and evert foot, extend toes 2-5 / Deep peroneal
Extensor Hallucis Longus / Anterior surface of fibula and interosseous membrane / Distal phalanx of great toe / Dorsiflex and invert foot, extend great toe / Deep peroneal
Peroneus Tertius
(Lower fibers of ext. dig. longus) / Anterior surface of fibula and tendon of EDL / Base of 5th metatarsal / Dorsiflex and evert foot / Deep peroneal
Peroneus Longus / Head and lateral surface of fibula / 1st metatarsal and medial
cuneiform / Plantarflex and evert foot / Superficial peroneal
Peroneus Brevis / Lateral surface of fibula / Tuberosity of 5th metatarsal / Plantarflex and evert foot / Superficial peroneal
Gastrocnemius / Medial and lateral condyles and posterior surface of femur / Unites with tendon of soleus and forms the calcaneal tendon (Achilles tendon) to posterior surface of calcaneus / Plantar flex foot (powerful) and flex leg at knee / Tibial
Soleus / Head and posterior
surface of fibula and
soleal line of tibia / Posterior surface of calcaneus via calcaneal tendon / Plantarflex foot / Tibial
Plantaris / Posterior surface of femur / Joins calcaneal tendon to posterior calcaneus / Planterflex foot and flex leg (small contribution for both) / Tibial
Popliteus / Lateral condyle of femur and lateral meniscus / Tibia above soleal line / Flex and medially rotate leg at knee / Tibial
Flexor Digitorum Longus / Posterior surface of tibia / Distal phalanges of toes 2-5 / Flex toes 2-5,
plantarflex foot / Tibial
Flexor Hallucis Longus / Posterior surface of fibula and interosseous membrane / Distal phalanx of great toe / Flex big toe, plantarflex / Tibial
Tibialis Posterior / Fibula, tibia and interosseous membrane / Tuberosity of all tarsals except talus / Plantar flex and invert foot / Tibial
Muscles of the Neck and Face