Muscle of Facial Expression
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Buccinator Maxilla, mandible Lips Compresses the cheeks and
lips against teeth
Depressor anguli oris Mandible Lower lip, near angle Depresses the angle of the
mouth
Levator labii superioris Maxilla Upper lip, nose Raises the upper lip
Occipitofrontalis Occipital Skin of eyebrow, nose Raises the eyebrows
Orbicularis oculi Maxilla, frontal Encircles eye Closes the eyelids
Orbicularis oris Maxilla, mandible Lips Closes the lips
Risorius Fascia of masseter Angle of the mouth Draws out the angle of the
mouth
Zygomaticus major Zygomatic bone Angle of the mouth Elevates and abducts the
upper lip
Zygomaticus minor Zygomatic bone Orbicularis oris of upper lip Elevates and abducts the
upper lip
Muscles of Mastication
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Temporalis Temporal fossa Mandible Elevates and retracts
mandible
Masseter Zygomatic arch Mandible Elevates and protracts
mandible
Lateral pterygoid Sphenoid Mandible Retracts and depresses
mandible
Medial pterygoid Sphenoid, maxilla Mandible Protracts and elevates
mandible
Neck Muscles
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Deep neck muscles – Vertebrae Base of the skull Flexors and extensors
flexors, extensors
Sternocleidomastoid Sternum, clavicle Mastoid process of the skull Individually rotates the
head, together flexes the
neck and extends the head
Trapezius Skull, upper vertebral Scapula Extends the head and the
column neck
Platysma Fascia on the superior part Edge of the mandible, lower Depresses the mandible,
of pectoralis major and part of the face tightens the fascia of the
deltoid neck and depresses lower
lip
Hyoid Muscles
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Suprahyoid Base of the skull, mandible Hyoid bone Elevates/ stabilizes hyoid
(Geniohyoid, Stylohyoid,
Mylohyoid, Digastric)
Infrahyoid Sternum, larynx Hyoid bone Depresses/ stabilizes hyoid
(Sternohyoid,
Sternothyroid, Thyrohyoid,
Omohyoid)
Muscles of the Vertebral Column
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Erector spinae Sacrum, ilium, vertebrae, Ribs, vertebrae, skull Extends the vertebral
(Iliocostalis, Longissimus, ribs column
Spinalis)
Deep back muscles Vertebrae Vertebrae Extends and helps to
(Multifidus, Rotatores, laterally flex the vertebral
Interspinales, column
Intertransversarii, Splenius
capitis, Splenius cervicis,
Semispinalis)
Muscles of the Thorax
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Scalenes Cervical vertebrae First and second ribs Inspiration, elevates ribs
External intercostals Inferior edge of ribs Superior edge of next rib Inspiration, elevates ribs
below
Internal intercostals Superior edge of ribs Inferior edge of next rib Forces expiration,
above depresses the ribs
Diaphragm Inner part of the xiphoid Central tendon Inspiration
process, vertebrae
Muscle of the Abdominal Wall
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Rectus abdominis Symphysis pubis, pubic Inferior thoracic cage Flexes the vertebral column,
crest compresses the abdomen
External abdominal oblique Ribs Midline of abdomen Compresses the abdomen,
flexes and rotates the
vertebral column
Internal abdominal oblique Pelvis Midline of abdomen Compresses the abdomen,
flexes and rotates the
vertebral column
Transverses abdominis Vertebrae, pelvis, ribs Midline of abdomen Compresses the abdomen
Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Levator ani Pubis, ischium Sacrum, coccyx Elevates anus, supports the
pelvic viscera
Bulbospongiosus Male – central tendon, Male – dorsal surface and Constricts urethra, erects
median raphe of penis bulb of penis penis or clitoris
Female – central tendon Female – base of clitoris
Ischiocavernosus Ischial ramus Corpus cavernosum Compresses base of penis
or clitoris
External anal sphincter Coccyx Central tendon Keeps orifice of anal canal
closed
Deep transverse perineal Ischial ramus Midline connective tissue Supports pelvic floor
Superficial transverse Ischial ramus Central tendon Fixes central tendon
perineal
Muscles Acting on the Scapula
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Levator scapulae Vertebrae Scapula Elevates, retracts and
rotates scapula
Pectoralis minor Ribs Scapula, elevates ribs Depresses scapula, elevates
ribs
Rhomboid major Vertebrae Scapula Retracts, rotates and fixes
scapula
Rhomboid minor Vertebrae Scapula Retracts, slightly elevates,
rotates and fixes scapula
Serratus anterior Ribs Scapula Rotates and protracts
scapula, elevates ribs
Trapezius Skull, upper vertebrae Scapula Elevates, depresses,
retracts, rotates and fixes
scapula, extends head and
neck
Muscles for Shoulder and Arm Movements
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Deltoid Scapula, clavicle Humerus Flexes and extends
shoulder, abducts and
medially and laterally
rotates arm
Latissimus dorsi Vertebra Humerus Extends shoulder, adducts
and medially rotates arm
Pectoralis major Ribs, clavicle Humerus Flexes shoulder, extends
shoulder from flexed
position, adducts and
medially rotates arms
Teres major Scapula Humerus Extends shoulder, adducts
and medially rotates arms
Rotator Cuff Muscles Scapula Humerus Stabilizes and extends
(Infraspinatus, shoulder, rotates arm
Scubscapularis, (laterally, medially, abducts,
Supraspinatus, Teres minor) adducts)
Biceps brachii Humerus, scapula Radius Flexes elbow, supinates
forearm, flexes shoulder
Brachialis Humerus Ulna Flexes shoulder
Triceps brachii Humerus, scapula Ulna Extends elbow, extends
shoulder, adducts arm
Muscles for Forearm and Hand Movement
Anterior Forearm Muscles
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Palmaris longus Medial epicondyle of Aponeurosis over the palm Tightens skin of palm
humerus
Flexor carpi radialis Medial epicondyle of Metacarpal bones Flexes and abducts wrist
humerus
Flexor carpi ulnaris Medial epicondly of Carpal bones, wrist Flexes and adducts wrist
humerus
Flexor digitorum profundus Ulna Phalanges Flexes fingers and wrist
Flexor digitorum Humerus, radius Phalanges Flexes fingers and wrist
superficialis
Pronator quadrates Distal ulna Distal radius Pronates forearm
Pronator teres Medial epicondyle of Radius Pronates forearm
humerus, ulna
Posterior Forearm Muscles
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Brachioradialis Humerus Distal radius Flexes forearm
Extensor carpi radialis Lateral epicondyle Metacarpal Extends and abducts wrist
brevis
Extensor carpi radialis Lateral supracondylar ridge Metacarpal Extends and abducts wrist
longus of humerus
Extensor carpi ulnaris Lateral epicondyle of Metacarpal Extends and adducts wrist
humerus, ulna
Extensor digitorum Lateral epicondyle of Phalanges Extends fingers and wrist
humerus
Supinator Lateral epicondyle of Radius Supinates forearm
humerus, ulna
Muscles Moving the Thigh
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Iliopsoas Ilium, vertebrae Femur Flexes hip
Gluteus maximus Ilium, sacrum, coccyx Femur Extends hip, abducts and
laterally rotates thigh
Gluteus medius Ilium Femur Abducts and medially
rotates thigh
Gluteus minimus Ilium Femur Abducts and medially
rotates thigh
Tensor fascia latae Iliac spine femur Steadies femur on tibia,
flexes hip, medially rotates
and abducts thigh
Muscles for Leg Movements
Anterior Compartment
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Quadriceps Femoris Ilium Tibia
Rectus femoris, Extends knee, flexes hip
Vastus lateralis, Vastus Femur Tibia Extends knee
medialis, vastus
intermedius
Sartorius Ilium Tibia Flexes hip and knee,
laterally rotates thigh
Medial Compartment
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Adductor longus Pubis Femur Adducts and laterally
rotates thigh, flexes hip
Adductor magnus Pubis, ischium Femur Adducts and laterally
rotates thigh, extends knee
Gracilis Pubis Tibia Adducts thigh, flexes knee
Posterior Compartment (Hamstrings)
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Biceps femoris Ischium, femur Fibula Flexes knee, laterally
rotates leg, extends hip
Semimebranosus Ischium Tibia Flexes knee, abducts and
medially rotates thigh
Semitendinosus Ischium Tibia Flexes knee, abducts and
medially rotates thigh
Leg Muscles for Foot Movements
Anterior Compartment
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Extensor digitorum longus Tibia Phalanges Extends the toes
Extensor hallucis longus Fibula, interosseus Distal phalanx of great toe Extends great toe,
membrane dorsiflexes, inverts foot
Tibialis anterior Tibia, interosseus Tarsal, metatarsal Dorsiflexes, inverts foot
membrane
Fibularis tertius Fibula, interosseus Metatarsal Dorsiflexes, inverts foot
membrane
Posterior Compartment
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Gastrocnemius Femur Calcaneus Plantarflexes foot, flexes leg
Soleus Tibia, fibula Calcaneus Plantarflexes foot
Flexor digitorum longus Tibia Phalanges Flexes four lateral toes,
plantar flexes and inverts
foot
Flexor hallucis longus Fibula Distal phalanx of great toe Flexes great toe,
plantarflexes and inverts
foot
Tibialis posterior Tibia, fibula, interosseous Tarsals, metatarsals Plantar flexes and inverts
membrane foot
Lateral Compartment
Muscle Origin Insertion Action
Fibularis brevis Fibula Metatarsal Everts and ploantarflexes
foot
Fibularis longus Fibula Tarsal, metatarsal Everts and plantarflexes
foot
