Muscles Vet Tech Med

action of muscles

Superficial and Deep Pectoral M.

Adduct the forelimb (bring limb toward midline)

Trapezius m.

Elevates and abducts the forelimb

Rhomboideus m.

Elevates forelimb and draws scapula against the trunk.

Latissimus dorsi m.

Draws the limb caudally (flexes shoulder joint when limb is advanced)

Serratus ventralis m.

Supports trunk and depresses scapula.

Masseter m.

Elevates mandible to close the jaw (chewing).

Deltoideus m.

Flexes the shoulder joint

Infraspinatus m.

Flexes shoulder / abducts limb / stabilizes shoulder joint.

Supraspinatus m.

Extends shoulder / stabilizes shoulder joint.

Subscapularis m.

Adducts limb / stabilizes shoulder joint.

Triceps brachii m.

Extends elbow (all heads); long head also flexes shoulder.

Biceps brachii m.

Flexes elbow / extends shoulder.

Extensor carpi radialis m.

Extends carpus / flexes elbow.

Common digital extensor m.

Extends carpus and digits II–V.

Lateral digital extensor m.

Extends carpus and digits III–V.

Extensor carpi ulnaris m.

Flexes carpus / abducts manus.

Flexor carpi radialis m.

Flexes carpus.

Flexor carpi ulnaris m.

Flexes carpus.

Superficial digital flexor m.

Flexes carpus and digits II–V (proximal interphalangeal joints).

Deep digital flexor m.

Flexes carpus and all digital joints (distal interphalangeal joints).

Tensor fasciae latae m.

Flexes hip / extends stifle.

Superficial, middle, and deep gluteal m

Extend hip / abduct limb.

Epaxial muscle group

Extend vertebral column / lateral flexion.

Iliopsoas m.

Flex hip / draw limb forward.

Biceps femoris m.

Extends hip, stifle, and hock; caudal part flexes stifle.

Semitendinosus m.

Extends hip and hock / flexes stifle.

Semimembranosus m.

Extends hip / part flexes stifle.

Vastus lateralis m.

Extends stifle.

Vastus medialis m.

Extends stifle.

Vastus intermedius m.

Extends stifle.

Rectus femoris m.

Extends stifle / flexes hip.

Cranial tibial m.

Flexes tarsus / rotates paw laterally.

Gastrocnemius m.

Extends hock / flexes stifle.

External abdominal oblique m.

Compresses abdominal viscera / flexes vertebral column laterally.

Internal abdominal oblique m.

Same as external: compresses viscera / flexes trunk laterally.

Transversus abdominis m.

Compresses abdominal viscera.

Rectus abdominis m.

Flexes lumbar vertebrae / compresses abdominal viscera.