Tables of Major Muscles, Origins, Insertions, and Actions

The Torso
Muscle Name rectus abdominis Origin The pubic arch of the pelvis. Insertion Inferior end of the sternum and cartilage of ribs #5-7. The medial edge meets the lateral edge of rectus abdominis by a tendon completely covering the latter muscle. The lower edge attaches to the anterior half of the iliac crest and the inguinal (IN-gwin-al, referring to the groin) ligament. Under the scapula to its medial edge. Action Bends ribcage forward toward hips, and vice-versa. Rotates the ribcage. The muscle pulls the same side forward: the right external oblique pulls the ribcage so the right shoulder comes around to the front; likewise for the left oblique. It also bends the lower spine laterally. Both sides together bend the ribcage forward toward the pelvis. Moves the scapula laterally, and rolls its inferior angle upward to raise the arm above the shoulder.

external oblique

Ribs #5-12. The origins are on the ribs near where they meet the cartilages.

serratus anterior

Upper eight or nine ribs. All vertebrae from the sixth thoracic to the sacrum, and the posterior, upper, medial border of pelvis.

latissimus dorsi

Ridge on anterior surface of the humerus.

Extends the shoulder - pulls upper arm downward towards the torso and behind the back.

The Shoulder Girdle

Muscle Name Origin Medial half of the clavicle, the lateral surface of the sternum, and the top of the abdominal aponeurosis. Lateral third of clavicle and spine of scapula, including the acromion process. A wide area on the surface of the scapula below the spine. Lower angle of the scapula. Seventh cervical Insertion Action

pectoralis major

A ridge on the front of the humerus below the head.

Pulls the arm forward and across the body; rotates the upper arm inwardly.

deltoid

Lateral surface of the humerus, about halfway down. Posterior side of the head of the humerus. Anterior surface of the humerus, below the head. Medial border of

Raises the arm at the shoulder.

infraspinatus

Rotates the upper arm laterally (outward). Adducts the upper arm and rotates it medially (inward). Draws the scapula toward the spine,

teres major rhomboids

vertebra and thoracic vertebrae #1-5. From a short horizontal line on the base of the skull to all of the vertebrae down to the 10th thoracic.

scapula.

and rotates its inferior angle medially. The upper third raises the scapula; with the scapula fixed, it draws the head upright, backward, toward the shoulder, and rotates the face to the opposite side. The middle third draws the scapula towards the spine; the lower third draws it downward. Both sides together extend the head.

trapezius

The spine of the scapula, the medial side of the acromion process of the scapula, and the lateral third of the clavicle.

The Hip and Thigh

Muscle Name tensor fascia lata Origin Anterior superior iliac spine. Insertion The iliotibial band. The great trochanter of the femur. Upper, posterior surface of the femur, and the iliotibial band. Action Flexes and abducts the thigh, and rotates it inward. Lifts the thigh to the side. Its anterior and posterior portions rotate it medially and laterally respectively. Straightens the thigh at the hip and draws it backwards.

gluteus medius

A wide area on the lateral surface of the ilium. Posterior, lateral surfaces of ilium,sacrum, and coccyx. (Also a number of deep ligaments on the pelvis.) Front surface on the upper end of the femur. The belly wraps around the medial side of the femur and attaches to a long line on the back. Front surface on the upper end of the femur. The belly wraps around the lateral side of the femur and attaches to a long line on the back. Anterior inferior iliac spine of the pelvis. Insertion: patellar tendon. Anterior superior iliac spine of pelvis.

gluteus maximus

vastus medialis

Patellar tendon.

Straightens the leg at the knee.

vastus lateralis

Patellar tendon.

Straightens the leg at the knee.

rectus femoris

Straightens the leg at the knee, and bends it at the hip. Upper medial surface of the tibia. Medial condyle of tibia. Flexes the leg at both the hip and the knee, and rotates the leg laterally. Pulls the thigh backwards, rotates it inward, and bends the leg at the knee. Pulls the thigh backwards, bends the leg at the knee, and rotates

sartorius

semitendinosus

Ischial tuberosity.

semimembranosus Ischial tuberosity.

Medial condyle of the tibia.

the lower leg inward. The long head arises from the ischial tuberosity. The short head arises from a line on the back of the femur lying completely under the long head. Pulls the thigh backwards and bends the leg at the knee.

biceps femoris

Head of the fibula.

The Lower Leg

Muscle Name Origin The medial head attaches to the femur just above the medial condyle; the lateral head does the same above the lateral condyle. Insertion Via the Achilles tendon to the bone of the heel, the calcaneus (cal-KAY-nee-us). Action Straightens the joint of the ankle, either pointing the foot, or lifting a standing figure onto the ball of the foot. Same as gastrocnemius; straightens the joint of the ankle, either pointing the foot, or lifting a standing figure onto the ball of the foot. Bends the joint of the ankle, drawing the top of the foot upward; turns the bottom of the foot inward.

gastrocnemius

soleus

Posterior surfaces of tibia and fibula.

Via the Achilles tendon to the bone of the heel. Bottom surface of the first metatarsal and the cuneiform bone of the foot. A tendon that runs down the posterior side of the ankle and under the foot to the first metatarsal.

tibialis anterior

Upper lateral and anterior surface of tibia. Lateral surface of the fibula, front of the head of the fibula, and the lateral condyle of the tibia.

peroneus longus

Points the foot, draws the bottom of the foot laterally.

The Upper Arm

Muscle Name Origin Two points (one for each head) on the deep anterior, superior part of the scapula. These points are the glenoid fossa and the coracoid process. Anterior surface of humerus. Insertion Action Bends the arm at the elbow and turns the forearm palmup. Bends the arm at the elbow. Adducts the upper arm and lifts it forward. Extends arm at elbow.

biceps

Anterior surface of the radius below the head.

brachialis

Anterior surface on the head of the ulna. The mid-point on the medial side of the humerus. All three heads attach to the triceps tendon, which inserts

coracobrachialis Coracoid process of scapula. The medial and lateral heads attach to the posterior surface

triceps

of the humerus. The long head attaches to lower border of the scapula, close to the arm socket.

into the base of the ulna on its posterior side. This point is called the olecranon (oh-LECKruh-non).

The Forearm
Muscle Name brachioradialis Origin A short line on the lateral edge of the humerus. Lateral epicondyle of the humerus and ridge immediately above. Lateral epicondyle of the humerus. Lateral epicondyle of the humerus. Lateral epicondyle of the humerus and dorsal surface of the ulna. Lateral epicondyle of humerus. Insertion The proximal end of the radius on its lateral side. Dorsal surface of base of the second metacarpal. Dorsal surface of base of the second metacarpal. Dorsal surface of the four fingers. Dorsal surface of fifth metacarpal. Olecranon and upper portion of ulna. Straightens and pulls back the wrist. Straightens and pulls back the fingers. Extends wrist and bends it sideways towards the ulna. Straightens arm at elbow. Action Bends forearm at elbow.

extensor carpi radialis longus extensor carpi radialis brevis extensor digitorum extensor carpi ulnaris anconeus

The Neck and Throat

Muscle Name Origin Insertion The mastoid process on the skull. Action Bends the head laterally to the same side (drawing the ear toward the shoulder), and rotates the head to the opposite side (turning the face away). Both sides together roll the head towards the back.

The sternum and the medial sternocleidomastoid third of the clavicle.

The Hand
Muscle Name first dorsal interosseus Origin The facing surfaces of the first and second metacarpals. Insertion Base of the proximal phalanx of the index finger. Action Pulls the first and second metacarpals together, abducting the index finger.