Muscle Anatomy and Functions

Flashcards for muscle anatomy including origins, insertions, and actions of key muscles.

Pectoralis Minor

Originates from ribs 3-5, inserts on the coracoid process, and depresses the scapula.

Serratus Anterior

Originates from ribs 1-9, inserts on the vertebral/medial border of scapula, and abducts the scapula.

Pectoralis Major

Originates from the sternum, inserts on the greater tubercle, and flexes and adducts the humerus.

Deltoid

Originates from the clavicle, acromion process, and spine of scapula; inserts on the deltoid tuberosity and abducts the humerus.

Biceps Brachii

Originates from the coracoid process, inserts on the radial tuberosity, and flexes the forearm.

Brachialis

Originates from the anterior humerus, inserts on the coronoid process, and flexes the forearm.

Brachioradialis

Originates above the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, inserts on the styloid process of the radius, and flexes the forearm.

Flexor Carpi Radialis

Originates from the medial epicondyle of the humerus, inserts on the 2nd metacarpal, and flexes the wrist.

Palmaris Longus

Originates from the medial epicondyle of the humerus, inserts on the palmar aponeurosis, and flexes the wrist.

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

Originates from the medial epicondyle of the humerus, inserts on the 5th metacarpal, and flexes the wrist.

Flexor Digitorum

Originates from the medial epicondyle of the humerus, inserts on the phalanges 2-5, and flexes the phalanges/digits.

Trapezius

Originates from the occipital bone and spinosus processes of C7 and thoracic vertebrae; inserts on the clavicle, acromion process, and spine of scapula, and elevates, depresses, and adducts the scapula.

Levator Scapulae

Originates from the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae, inserts on the superior vertebral/medial border of the scapula, and elevates the scapula.

Rhomboids

Originates from the spinous processes of upper thoracic vertebrae, inserts on the vertebral/medial border of the scapula, and adducts the scapula.

Latissimus Dorsi

Originates from the thoracolumbar fascia, inserts on the intertubercular sulcus/groove, and extends and adducts the humerus.

Supraspinatus

Originates from the supraspinous fossa, inserts on the greater tubercle, and abducts the humerus.

Infraspinatus

Originates from the infraspinous fossa, inserts on the greater tubercle, and laterally rotates the humerus.

Teres Major

Originates from the dorsal surfaces of the scapula, inserts on the lesser tubercle, and extends and adducts the humerus.

Teres Minor

Originates from the axillary/lateral border of the scapula, inserts on the greater tubercle, and laterally rotates the humerus.

Triceps Brachii

Originates from the scapula and posterior humerus, inserts on the olecranon process, and extends the forearm.

Extensor Carpi Radialis

Originates from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, inserts on the 2nd metacarpal, and extends the wrist.

Extensor Carpi Ulnaris

Originates from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, inserts on the 5th metacarpal, and extends the wrist.

Extensor Digitorum

Originates from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, inserts on phalanges 2-5, and extends the phalanges/digits.