Muscle Attachments and Actions (Upper Body)
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MuscleOriginInsertionAction (Concentric Contraction)
Abductor Pollicis BrevisScaphoid, trapezium, and flexor retinaculumPhalanx of digit 1Abduction and extension of 1st digit
Abductor Pollicis LongusProximal ulna and middle radius1st metacarpalAbduction and extension of 1st digit
AnconeusPosterior lateral epicondyle of humerusPosterior proximal ulnaExtension of elbow
Anterior scaleneTransverse processes C3-C61st ribLateral flexion of cervical spine; elevation of rib during inspiration
Biceps BrachiiSupraglenoid tubercle and corocoid process of scapulaRadial tuberosity and bicipital aponeurosisFlexion of shoulder; flexion and supination of elbow
BrachialisAnterior, distal humerusCoronoid process of ulnaFlexion of elbow
BrachioradialisLateral supracondylar ridge of humerusRadial styloid processFlexion of elbow
CorocobrachialisCorocoid process of scapulaMedial, mid-humerusFlexion, adduction, and horizontal adduction of the shoulder
DeltoidLateral clavicle, acromion, spine of scapulaDeltoid tuberosity of humerusFlexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, horizontal abduction, horizontal adduction, and abduction of shoulder
DiaphragmThoracolumbar fascia, ribs 7-12, and xiphoid processCentral tendonInspiration
Extensor Carpi Radialis BrevisLateral epicondyle of humerus3rd metacarpalExtension of elbow and wrist; abduction of wrist
Extensor Carpi Radialis LongusLateral supracondylar ridge of humerus2nd metacarpalExtension of elbow and wrist; abduction of wrist
Extensor Carpi UlnarisLateral epicondyle of humerus5th metacarpalExtension of elbow and wrist; adduction of wrist
Extensor DigitorumLateral epicondyle of humerusMiddle and distal phalanges digits 2-5Extension of elbow, wrist, and digits 2-5
External obliqueRibs 7-12Iliac crest and abdominal aponeurosisFlexion, lateral flexion, and contralateral flexion of lumbar spine
Flexor carpi radialisMedial epicondyle of humerus2nd metacarpalFlexion of elbow; flexion and abduction of wrist
Flexor carpi ulnarisMedial epicondyle of humerusPisiformFlexion of elbow; flexion and adduction of wrist
Flexor Digitorum ProfundusProximal ulnaDistal phalanges digits 2-5Flexion of elbow, wrist, and digits 2-5
Flexor Digitorum SuperficialisMedial epicondyle of humerus and proximal radiusMiddle phalanges digits 2-5Flexion of elbow, wrist, and digits 2-5
IliocostalisThoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, ribs 1-12Ascending ribs 1-6, transverse processes C4-C7Extension of neck, mid-back, and low back
InfraspinatusInfraspinus fossa of scapulaGreater tubercle of humerusExternal rotation and adduction of shoulder
Internal obliqueIliac crest, inguinal ligamentRibs 10-12 and abdominal aponeurosisFlexion, lateral rotation, and rotation of lumbar spine
LatissimusSpinous processes T6-T12, ribs 8-12, thoracolumbar fascia, posterior iliac crest, inferior angle of scapulaCrest of lesser tubercle of humerusExtension, adduction, and internal rotation of shoulder; anterior tilting of pelvis
Levator scapulaSuperior angle of scapulaTransverse processes C1-C4Extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of cervical spine; elevation and downward rotation of scapula
LongissimisThoracolumbar fascia, transverse processes C3-T12Ascending transverse processes C1-T12 and mastoid process of temporal boneExtension of head, neck, mid-back, and low back
MasseterZygomatic arch of temporal boneAngle and ramus of mandibleElevation and protraction of mandible
Middle scaleneTransverse processes C2-C71st ribLateral flexion of cervical spine; elevation of rib during inspiration
MultifidusSacrum and articular processes C3-L5Spinous processes of adjacent, superior vertebae C2-L5Extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of individual segments of spine
Obliquus Capitis InferiorSpinous process of C2Transverse process of C1Rotation and extension of C1
Obliquus Capitis SuperiorTransverse process of C1Nuchal line of occiputRotation and extension of head
Palmaris LongusMedial epicondyle of humerusPalmar fascia and flexor retinaculumFlexion of elbow and wrist; tension of palmar fascia
Pectoralis majorMedial clavicle, sternum, cartilage of ribs 1-6Crest of greater tubercleFlexion, horizontal adduction, adduction, internal rotation, and extension of shoulder
Pectoralis minorRibs 3-5 Corocoid process of scapulaDepression of scapula
Posterior scaleneTransverse processes C4-C62nd ribLateral flexion of cervical spine; elevation of rib during inspiration
Pronator QuadratusLateral, distal radiusMedial, distal ulnaPronation of elbow
Pronator teresMedial epicondyle of humerusLateral, mid-radiusFlexion and pronation of elbow
Quadratus LumborumIliac crest, iliolumbar ligamentRib 12 and transverse processes L1-L4Elevation of pelvis and lateral flexion of lumbar spine
Rectus AbdominisPubic crest and symphisisXiphoid process and cartilage of ribs 5-7Flexion of lumbar spine; posterior tilting of pelvis
Rectus Capitis Posterior MajorSpinous process of C2Nuchal line of occiputRotation and extension of head
Rectus Capitis Posterior MinorPosterior tubercle of C1Nuchal line of occiputExtension of head
Rhomboid majorSpinous processes T2-T6Medial border of scapula (from spine of scapula to inferior angle)Adduction and downward rotation of scapula
Rhomboid minorSpinous processes C7-T1Medial border of scapula (at spine of scapula)Adduction of scapula
RotatoresTransverse processes C3-L5Spinous processes of adjacent, superior vertebae C2-L5Extension and rotation of individual segments of spine
SemispinalisTransverse processes C2-T10 Ascending spinous processes C2-T4 and occipital boneExtension of head, neck, and mid-back
Serratus anteriorRibs 1-8Anterior medial border of scapulaAbduction and upward rotation of scapula
Splenius capitisSpinous processes C7-T3Mastoid processRotation, lateral flexion, and extension of cervical head
Splenius cervicisSpinous processes T4-T6Transverse processes C1-C4Rotation, lateral flexion, and extension of cervical spine
SpinalisSpinous processes T10-L2Ascending spinous processes C7-T6 and ligamentum nuchae Extension of head, neck, and mid-back
SternocleidomastoidMedial clavicle and manubriumMastoid processContralateral rotation, lateral flexion, and flexion of the cervical spine
SubclaviusInferior clavicle1st ribDepression of clavicle
SubscapularisSubscapular fossa of scapulaLesser tubercle of humerusInternal rotation and adduction of shoulder
SupinatorLateral epicondye of humerus; proximal ulnaProximal radiusSupination of elbow
SupraspinatusSupraspinus fossa of scapulaGreater tubercle of humerusAdbuction of shoulder
TemporalisTemporal fossa Coronoid process of mandibleElevation of mandible
Teres majorInferior lateral border of scapulaLesser tubercle of humerusInternal rotation and adduction of shoulder
Teres minorSuperior lateral border of scapulaGreater tubercle of humerusExternal rotation and adduction of shoulder
Transverse AbdominusInguinal ligament, iliac crest, ribs 7-12, thoracolumbar fasciaXipoid process, pubis, abdominal aponeurosisForced expiration; compression of abdominal contents
TrapeziusExternal occipital protuberence, ligamentum nuchae, spinous processes C7-T12Lateral clavicle, acromion, spine of scapulaExtension, lateral flexion, and contralateral rotation of the occiput; elevation of the shoulder girdle; downward rotation of the scapula
Triceps brachiiInfraglenoid tubercle of scapula; posterior surface of humerusOlecranon process of ulnaExtension of shoulder; extension of elbow

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