List of skeletal muscles of the human body
This is a table of skeletal muscles of the human anatomy.
There are approximately 550 skeletal muscles within the typical human, and almost every muscle constitutes one part of a pair of identical bilateral muscles, found on both sides, resulting in approximately 320 pairs of muscles, as presented
in this article. Nevertheless, the exact number is difficult to define because different sources group muscles differently, e.g. regarding what is defined as different parts of a single muscle or as several muscles. Examples range from 640 to 850.[1]
The muscles of the human body can be categorized into a number of groups which include muscles relating to the head and neck, muscles of the torso or trunk, muscles of the upper limbs, and muscles of the lower limbs.
The action refers to the action of each muscle from the standard anatomical position. In other positions, other actions may be performed.
These muscles are described using anatomical terminology.
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
levator palpebrae superioris | sphenoid bone | tarsal plate, upper eyelid | ophthalmic artery | oculomotor nerve | retracts/elevates eyelid | orbicularis oculi muscle |
superior tarsal | underside of levator palpebrae superioris | superior tarsal plate of the eyelid | sympathetic nervous system | raise the upper eyelid | |
orbicularis oculi | frontal bone, medial palpebral ligament, and lacrimal bone | lateral palpebral raphe | ophthalmic artery, zygomatico-orbital artery, angular artery | facial nerve | closes the eyelids | levator palpebrae superioris muscle |
Rectus muscles |
superior | annulus of Zinn at the orbital apex | 7.5 mm superior to the corneal limbus | | oculomotor nerve | elevates, adducts, and rotates medially the eye | |
inferior | 6.5 mm inferior to the corneal limbus | | inferior branch of oculomotor nerve | depression and adduction | |
medial | 5.5 mm medial to the corneal limbus | | inferior division of the oculomotor nerve | adducts the eyeball | |
lateral | 7 mm temporal to the corneal limbus | | abducens nerve | abducts the eyeball | |
Oblique muscles |
superior | annulus of Zinn at the orbital apex, medial to optic canal | outer posterior quadrant of the eyeball | lateral muscular branch of the ophthalmic artery | trochlear nerve | primary: intorsion. secondary:abduct (laterally rotate) and depress the eyeball | |
inferior | orbital surface of the maxilla, lateral to the lacrimal groove | laterally onto the eyeball, deep to the lateral rectus, by a short flat tendon | | oculomotor nerve | extorsion, elevation, abduction | |
Extrinsic muscle
Intrinsic
Clavicular
Neck
Anterior
Lateral
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
scalene muscles | cervical vertebrae | first and second ribs | ascending cervical artery (branch of inferior thyroid artery) | cervical nerves (C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 | elevation of ribs I&II | |
anterior | C3-C6 | first rib | ascending cervical artery (branch of inferior thyroid artery) | ventral ramus of C5, C6 | When the neck is fixed, elevates the first rib to aid in breathing or when the rib is fixed, bends the neck forward and sideways and rotates it to the opposite side | |
medius | C2-C6 | first rib | ascending cervical artery (branch of inferior thyroid artery) | ventral rami of the third to eighth cervical spinal nerves | Elevate 1st rib, rotate the neck to the opposite side | |
posterior | transverse processes of C4 – C6 | 2nd rib | ascending cervical artery, superficial cervical artery | C6, C7, C8 | Elevate 2nd rib, tilt the neck to the same side | |
levator scapulae | Posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1 – C4 | Superior part of medial border of scapula | dorsal scapular artery | cervical nerve (C3, C4) and dorsal scapular nerve (C5) | Elevates scapula and tilts its glenoid cavity inferiorly by rotating scapula | |
rectus capitis lateralis | upper surface of the transverse process of the atlas (C1) | under surface of the jugular process of the occipital bone | | C1 | | |
obliquus capitis superior | lateral mass of atlas | lateral half of the inferior nuchal line | | suboccipital nerve | | |
inferior | spinous process of the axis | lateral mass of atlas | | suboccipital nerve | | |
Posterior
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
erector spinae | on the spines of the last four thoracic vertebrae | both the spines of the most cranial thoracic vertebrae and the cervical vertebrae | lateral sacral artery | posterior branch of spinal nerve | extends the vertebral column | rectus abdominis muscle |
iliocostalis | | | lateral sacral artery | | | |
longissimus | transverse process | transverse process | lateral sacral artery | posterior branch of spinal nerve | | rectus abdominis muscle |
spinalis | spinous process | spinous process | lateral sacral artery | posterior branch of spinal nerve | | rectus abdominis muscle |
latissimus dorsi | spinous processes of thoracic T6-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest and inferior 3 or 4 ribs | floor of intertubercular groove of the humerus | subscapular artery, dorsal scapular artery | thoracodorsal nerve | pulls the forelimb dorsally and caudally | deltoid, trapezius |
transversospinales | transverse process | spinous process | | posterior branches | | |
semispinalis dorsi | transverse processes of the sixth to the tenth thoracic vertebrae | spinous processes of the upper four thoracic and lower two cervical vertebrae | | | | |
semispinalis cervicis | transverse processes of the upper five or six thoracic vertebræ | cervical spinous processes, from the axis to the fifth | | | | |
semispinalis capitis | transversal process of lower cervical and higher thoracal columna | area between superior and inferior nuchal line | | greater occipital nerve | Extends the head | |
multifidus | sacrum, erector spinae aponeurosis, PSIS, and iliac crest | spinous process | | posterior branch of spinal nerve | Stabilizes vertebrae in local movements of vertebral column | |
rotatores | transverse process | spinous process | | posterior branch | | |
interspinales | spinous process | spinous process | | posterior rami of spinal nerves | Extension, flexion and rotation of vertebral column. | |
intertransversarii | transverse process | transverse process above | | anterior rami of spinal nerves | Lateral flexion of trunk | |
Splenius muscles |
capitis | ligamentum nuchae, spinous process of C7-T6 | Mastoid process of temporal and occipital bone | | C3, C4 | Extend, rotate, and laterally flex the head | |
cervicis | spinous processes of T3-T6 | transverse processes of C1, C2, C3 | | C5, C6 | | |
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
intercostals | ribs 1–11 | ribs 2–12 | intercostal arteries | intercostal nerves | | |
external | | | intercostal arteries | intercostal nerves | Inhalation | internal |
internal | rib – inferior border | rib – superior border | intercostal arteries | intercostal nerves | hold ribs steady | external |
innermost | | | intercostal arteries | intercostal nerves | Elevate ribs | |
subcostales | inner surface of one rib | inner surface of the second or third rib above, near its angle | | intercostal nerves | | |
transversus thoracis | costal cartilages of last 3–4 ribs, body of sternum, xiphoid process | ribs/costal cartilages 2–6 | intercostal arteries | intercostal nerves | depresses ribs | |
levatores costarum | transverse processes of C7 to T12 vertebrae | superior surfaces of the ribs immediately inferior to the preceding vertebrae | | dorsal rami – C8, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T11 | Assists in elevation of the thoracic rib cage | |
Serratus posterior muscles |
inferior | vertebrae T11 – L3 | the inferior borders of the 9th through 12th ribs | intercostal arteries | intercostal nerves | depress the lower ribs, aiding in expiration | |
superior | nuchal ligament (or ligamentum nuchae) and the spinous processes of the vertebrae C7 through T3 | the upper borders of the 2nd through 5th ribs | intercostal arteries | 2nd through 5th intercostal nerves | elevate the ribs which aids in inspiration | |
diaphragm | | | pericardiacophrenic artery, musculophrenic artery, inferior phrenic arteries | phrenic and lower intercostal nerves | respiration | |
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
transversus abdominis | ribs and the iliac crest | inserts into the pubic tubercle via the conjoint tendon, also known as the falx inguinalis | | intercostal nerves T7, T8, T9, T10, T11, subcostal nerve (T12), iliohypogastric nerve, ilioinguinal nerve, genitofemoral nerve | compress the ribs and viscera, providing thoracic and pelvic stability | |
rectus abdominis | pubis | costal cartilages of ribs 5–7, xiphoid process of sternum | inferior epigastric artery | segmentally by thoraco-abdominal nerves (T7, T8, T9, T10, T11, T12) | flexion of trunk/lumbar vertebrae | erector spinae |
pyramidalis | pubic symphysis and pubic crest | linea alba | | subcostal nerve (T12) | tensing the linea alba | |
cremaster | inguinal ligament | | cremasteric artery | genital branch of genitofemoral nerve | raise and lower the scrotum | |
quadratus lumborum | iliac crest and iliolumbar ligament | last rib and transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae | lumbar arteries, iliolumbar artery | anterior branches of T12, L1, L2, L3, L4 | Alone, lateral flexion of vertebral column; Together, depression of thoracic rib cage | |
Oblique muscles |
external | Lower 8 costae | Crista iliaca, ligamentum inguinale | | intercostal nerves T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T11, subcostal nerve (T12) | Rotates torso | |
internal | inguinal ligament, iliac crest and the lumbodorsal fascia | linea alba, xiphoid process and the inferior ribs. | | intercostal nerves T8, T9, T10, T11, subcostal nerve (T12), iliohypogastric nerve, ilioinguinal nerve | Compresses abdomen and rotates vertebral column | |
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
trapezius | down the midline, from the external occipital protuberance, the nuchal ligament, the medial part of the superior nuchal line, and the spinous processes of the vertebrae C7-T12 | at the shoulders, into the lateral third of the clavicle, the acromion process and into the spine of the scapula | transverse cervical artery | major nerve supply is the cranial nerve XI. cervical nerves C3 and C4 receive information about pain in this muscle | retraction and elevation of scapula. | Serratus anterior muscle |
latissimus dorsi | spinous processes of thoracic T6-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest and inferior 3 or 4 ribs | floor of intertubercular groove of the humerus | subscapular artery, dorsal scapular artery | thoracodorsal nerve | pulls the forelimb dorsally and caudally | deltoid, trapezius |
rhomboids | nuchal ligaments, spinous processes of C7-T5 vertebrae | medial border of the scapula | dorsal scapular artery | dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5) | Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall. | Serratus anterior muscle |
rhomboid major | spinous processes of the T2 to T5 vertebrae | medial border of the scapula, inferior to the insertion of rhomboid minor muscle | dorsal scapular artery | dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5) | Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. It also fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall. | Serratus anterior muscle |
rhomboid minor | nuchal ligaments and spinous processes of C7- to T1 vertebrae | medial border of the scapula, superior to the insertion of rhomboid major muscle | dorsal scapular artery | dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5) | Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. It also fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall. | Serratus anterior muscle |
levator scapulae | posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1 – C4 vertebrae | superior part of medial border of scapula | dorsal scapular artery | cervical nerve (C3, C4) and dorsal scapular nerve (C5) | Elevates scapula and tilts its glenoid cavity inferiorly by rotating scapula | |
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
pectoralis major | anterior surface of the medial half of the clavicle. Sternocostal head: anterior surface of the sternum, the superior six costal cartilages | intertubercular groove of the humerus | pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial trunk | lateral pectoral nerve and medial pectoral nerve Clavicular head: C5 and C6 Sternocostal head: C7, C8 and T1 | Clavicular head: flexes the humerus Sternocostal head: extends the humerus As a whole, adducts and medially rotates the humerus. It also draws the scapula anteriorly and inferiorly. | |
pectoralis minor | 3rd to 5th ribs, near their costal cartilages | medial border and superior surface of the coracoid process of the scapula | Pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial trunk | Medial pectoral nerves (C8, T1) | stabilizes the scapula by drawing it inferiorly and anteriorly against the thoracic wall | |
subclavius | first rib | subclavian groove of clavicle | thoracoacromial artery, clavicular branch | nerve to subclavius | Depresses the clavicle | |
serratus anterior | fleshy slips from the outer surface of upper 8 or 9 ribs | costal aspect of medial margin of the scapula | lateral thoracic artery (upper part), thoracodorsal artery (lower part) | long thoracic nerve (from roots of brachial plexus C5, C6, C7) | protract and stabilize scapula, assists in upward rotation | Rhomboid major, Rhomboid minor, Trapezius |
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
deltoid | clavicle, acromion, spine of the scapula | deltoid tuberosity of humerus | primarily posterior circumflex humeral artery | Axillary nerve | shoulder abduction, flexion and extension | Latissimus dorsi |
teres major | posterior aspect of the inferior angle of the scapula | medial lip of the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus | Subscapular and circumflex scapular arteries | Lower subscapular nerve (segmental levels C5 and C6) | Internal rotation of the humerus | |
Rotator cuff |
supraspinatus | supraspinous fossa of scapula | superior facet of greater tubercle of humerus | suprascapular artery | suprascapular nerve | abduction of arm and stabilizes humerus | infraspinatus, teres minor, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi |
infraspinatus | infraspinous fossa of the scapula | middle facet of greater tubercle of the humerus | suprascapular and circumflex scapular arteries | suprascapular nerve | Lateral rotation of arm & Adduction of arm and stabilizes humerus | subscapularis, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi |
teres minor | lateral border of the scapula | inferior facet of greater tubercle of the humerus | posterior circumflex humeral artery and the circumflex scapular artery | axillary nerve | laterally rotates and adducts the arm | subscapularis, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi |
subscapularis | subscapular fossa | lesser tubercle of humerus | subscapular artery | upper subscapular nerve, lower subscapular nerve (C5, C6) | rotates medially humerus; stabilizes shoulder | infraspinatus and teres minor |
Superficial
Deep
Superficial
Deep
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
supinator | Lateral epicondyle of the humerus, supinator crest of ulna, radial collateral ligament, annular ligament | Lateral proximal radial shaft | radial recurrent artery | posterior interosseus nerve (C7, C8) | supinates forearm | Pronator teres, Pronator quadratus |
extensor indicis | ulna | index finger (extensor hood) | | posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8) | extends index finger, wrist | |
Anatomical snuff box |
abductor pollicis longus | ulna, radial styloid process | first metacarpal | | posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8) | abduction, extension of thumb | Adductor pollicis muscle |
extensor pollicis brevis | radius | thumb, proximal phalanx | posterior interosseous artery | posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8) | extension of thumb at metacarpophalangeal joint | Flexor pollicis longus muscle, Flexor pollicis brevis muscle |
extensor pollicis longus | ulna | thumb, distal phalanx | | posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8) | extension of the thumb (metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal) | Flexor pollicis longus muscle, Flexor pollicis brevis muscle |
Lateral volar
Lower limb
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
iliopsoas | iliac fossa (iliacus), sacrum (iliacus), spine (T12, L1, lumbar vertebrapsoas major, psoas minor) [2] | femur—lesser trochanter (psoas major/minor), shaft below lesser trochanter (iliacus), tendon of psoas major & femur (iliacus) [2] | medial femoral circumflex artery, iliolumbar artery | femoral nerve, Lumbar nerves L1, L2 | flexion of hip (psoas major/minor, iliacus), spine rotation (psoas major/minor) | Gluteus maximus, posterior compartment of thigh |
psoas major | transverse processes, bodies and discs of T12-L5 | in the lesser trochanter of the femur | Iliolumbar artery | Lumbar plexus via anterior branches of L1, L2, L3[3] |
flexes and rotates laterally thigh | Gluteus maximus |
psoas minor | Side of T12+L1 and IV Disc between | Pectineal line and iliopectineal eminence | | L1 | Weak trunk flexor | Gluteus maximus |
iliacus | iliac fossa | lesser trochanter of femur | medial femoral circumflex artery, Iliolumbar artery | femoral nerve (L2, L3[3]) | flexes hip[4] | Gluteus maximus |
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
tensor fasciae latae | iliac crest | iliotibial tract | primarily lateral circumflex femoral artery, Superior gluteal artery | Superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5) | Thigh – flexion, medial rotation. Trunk stabilization. | |
Gluteal muscles |
gluteus maximus muscle | Gluteal surface of ilium, lumbar fascia, sacrum, sacrotuberous ligament | Gluteal tuberosity of the femur, iliotibial tract | superior and inferior gluteal arteries | inferior gluteal nerve (L5, S1, S2 nerve roots) | external rotation and extension of the hip joint, supports the extended knee through the iliotibial tract, chief antigravity muscle in sitting | Iliacus, Psoas major, Psoas minor |
gluteus medius muscle | Gluteal surface of ilium, under gluteus maximus | Greater trochanter of the femur | superior gluteal artery | superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1 nerve roots) | abduction of the hip; preventing adduction of the hip. Medial rotation of thigh. | lateral rotator group |
minimus | Gluteal surface of ilium, under gluteus medius. | Greater trochanter of the femur | superior gluteal artery | superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1 nerve roots) | Works in concert with gluteus medius: abduction of the hip; preventing adduction of the hip. Medial rotation of thigh. | lateral rotator group |
lateral rotator group | at or below the acetabulum of the ilium | on or near the greater trochanter of the femur | Inferior gluteal artery, Lateral sacral artery, Superior gluteal artery | Obturator nerve, nerve to the Piriformis, nerve to quadratus femoris | lateral rotation of hip | Gluteus minimus muscle, Gluteus medius muscle |
piriformis | sacrum | greater trochanter | Inferior gluteal artery, Lateral sacral artery, Superior gluteal artery | nerve to the Piriformis (S1 and S2 nerve roots) [5] | laterally rotate (outward) the thigh | |
obturator externus | obturator foramen and obturatory membrane | medial aspect of greater trochanter of femur | obturator artery | posterior branch of obturator nerve (L3, L4) | adduct thigh, rotate laterally thigh | |
obturator internus | Ischiopubic ramus & obturator membrane | medial aspect of the Greater trochanter | | Nerve to obturator internus (L5, S1, S2) | Abducts & rotates laterally thigh, and stabiliser of the hip during walking | |
inferior gemellus | Ischial tuberosity | Obturator internus tendon | | Nerve to Quadratus femoris (L4, L5, S1) | Rotates laterally thigh | |
superior gemellus | spine of the ischium | Obturator internus tendon | | Nerve to obturator internus (L5, S1, S2) | Rotates laterally thigh | |
quadratus femoris | ischial tuberosity | intertrochanteric crest | inferior gluteal artery | nerve to quadratus femoris (L4, L5, -S1) | lateral rotation of thigh | |
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Artery | Nerve | Action | Antagonist |
biceps femoris | long head: tuberosity of the ischium, short head: linea aspera, femur[6] | the head of the fibula[6] which articulates with the back of the lateral tibial condyle | inferior gluteal artery, perforating arteries, popliteal artery | long head: medial (tibial) part of sciatic nerve, short head: lateral (common fibular) part of sciatic nerve[6] | flexes knee joint, laterally rotates leg at knee (when knee is flexed), extends hip joint (long head only)[6] | Quadriceps muscle |
semitendinosus | tuberosity of the ischium[6] | pes anserinus | inferior gluteal artery, perforating arteries | sciatic[6] (tibial, L5, S1, S2) | flexes knee, extends hip joint, medially rotates leg at knee[6] | Quadriceps muscle |
semimembranosus | tuberosity of the ischium[6] | Medial surface of tibia[6] | profunda femoris, gluteal artery | sciatic nerve[6] | flexes knee, extends hip joint, medially rotates leg at knee[6] | Quadriceps muscle |
Superficial
Deep
fibularis muscles:
Dorsal
Plantar
1st layer
2nd layer
3rd layer
4th layer
Innervation overview
Mind Map showing a summary of Upper Limb Muscle Innervation
See also
Notes
- ↑ Enotes
- 1 2 exrx.net
- 1 2 Essential Clinical Anatomy. K.L. Moore & A.M. Agur. Lippincott, 2 ed. 2002. Page 193
- ↑ Gosling, J. A., Harris, P. F., Humpherson, J. R., Whitmore I., & Willan P. L. T. 2008. Human Anatomy Color Atlas and Text Book. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier. page 200
- ↑ Essential Clinical Anatomy. K.L. Moore & A.M. Agur. Lippincott, 2 ed. 2002. Page 217
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Gosling 2008, p. 273
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Gosling et al. 2008, p. 266
- ↑ MedicalMnemonics.com: 255
References
External links