ORIGINS, INSERTIONS, AND FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN MUSCLES 1

Muscle Name Origin Insertion Function 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. Human Image

Sternocleidomasto id (Sternomastoid in Cats)

The sternum and the medial third of the clavicle.

The mastoid process on the skull.

Pectoralis Major

Medial half of the clavicle, the lateral surface of the sternum, and the top of the abdominal aponeurosis.

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

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

Pectoralis Minor

Cartilage of ribs #3-5

Medial and upper surface of coracoid process of scapula

Elevates ribs if scapula fixed, protracts scapula (assists serratus anterior)

Rectus Abdominus

The pubic arch of the pelvis.

Inferior end of the sternum and cartilage of ribs #5-7.

Bends ribcage forward toward hips, and viceversa.

ORIGINS, INSERTIONS, AND FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN MUSCLES

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.

External Oblique

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

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.

Clavotrapezius (Trapezius in humans) Acromiotrapzius (Trapezius in humans) Spinotrapezius (Trapezius in humans)

Latissimus Dorsi

All vertebrae from the sixth thoracic to the sacrum, and the posterior, upper, medial border of pelvis.

Ridge on anterior surface of the humerus.

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

Clavodeltoid (Deltoid in humans) Acromiodeltoid (Deltoid in humans) Spinodeltoid (Deltoid in humans) The medial and lateral heads attach to the posterior surface of the humerus. The long head attaches to lower border of the scapula, close to the arm socket. All three heads attach to the triceps tendon, which inserts into the base of the ulna on its posterior side. This point is called the olecranon (ohLECK-ruh-non).

Triceps Brachii

Extends arm at elbow.

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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.

Biceps Brachii

Anterior surface of the radius below the head.

Bends the arm at the elbow and turns the forearm palmup.

Gluteus Maximus

Posterior, lateral surfaces of ilium,sacrum, and coccyx. (Also a number of deep ligaments on the pelvis.)

Upper, posterior surface of the femur, and the iliotibial band.

Straightens the thigh at the hip and draws it backwards.

Biceps Femoris

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.

Head of the fibula.

Pulls the thigh backwards and bends the leg at the knee.

Vastus Lateralis

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.

Patellar tendon.

Straightens the leg at the knee.

ORIGINS, INSERTIONS, AND FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN MUSCLES

Semitendinosus

Ischial tuberosity.

Medial condyle of tibia.

Pulls the thigh backwards, rotates it inward, and bends the leg at the knee.

Sartorius

Anterior superior iliac spine of pelvis.

Upper medial surface of the tibia.

Flexes the leg at both the hip and the knee, and rotates the leg laterally.

Vastus Medialis

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.

Patellar tendon.

Straightens the leg at the knee.

Gracilis

Outer surface of ischiopubic ramus

Upper medial shaft of tibia below sartorius

Adducts hip. Flexes knee and medially rotates flexed knee

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Gastrocnemius

The medial head attaches to the femur just above the medial condyle; the lateral head does the same above the lateral condyle.

Via the Achilles tendon to the bone of the heel, the calcaneus (cal-KAY-nee-us).

Straightens the joint of the ankle, either pointing the foot, or lifting a standing figure onto the ball of the foot.

Soleus

Posterior surfaces of tibia and fibula.

Via the Achilles tendon to the bone of the heel.

Same as gastrocnemius; straightens the joint of the ankle, either pointing the foot, or lifting a standing figure onto the ball of the foot.

Tibialis Anterior

Upper lateral and anterior surface of tibia.

Bottom surface of the first metatarsal and the cuneiform bone of the foot.

Bends the joint of the ankle, drawing the top of the foot upward; turns the bottom of the foot inward.

Understanding Origins and Insertions: The muscles origin is attached to an immovable bone. The muscles insertion is attached to a movable bone. Body movements occur when a muscle contracts and the insertion moves towards the muscles origin. Angular movements increase or decrease the angle between two bones.

Flexion decreases the angle of the joint and brings the articulating bones closer, such as lowering the chin toward the chest Extension is increases the angle between bones such as straightening an elbow Dorsiflexion is extension of the wrist and Plantar flexion is extending the foot (pointing the toes) Abduction is movement of a limb away from the midline of the body Adduction is bringing it toward the midline

Other Things To Know Gluteus Medius is larger than the Gluteus Maximus in a cat