Anatomy and function

Quadriceps femoris (QUADS)

A muscle group that consists of four muscles that extends the knee.

Rectus femoris (QUADS)

extends the knee and flexes the hip.

Vastus lateralis (QUADS)

extends the knee.

Vastus medialis (QUADS)

extends the knee.

Vastus intermedius (QUADS)

Deep muscle to the rectus femoris that extends the knee.

Sartorius

flexes and laterally rotates the thigh.

Iliopsoas

flexes the hip.

Tensor fasciae latae (THIGH)

hip flexion and abduction.

Gluteus maximus (THIGH)

Large superficial muscle of the buttocks that extends the hip.

Gluteus medius (THIGH)

abducts the hip.

Hamstrings

Muscle group that flexes the knee and extends the hip.

Semitendinosus

hamstring group - flexes the knee and extends the hip.

Semimembranosus

Long muscle hamstring group - flexes the knee and extends the hip.

Biceps femoris

hamstring group - flexes the knee and extends the hip.

Gracilis

Adductor muscle that adducts the hip.

Adductor longus

adducts the hip.

Adductor magnus

adducts the hip.

Calcaneal tendon (Achilles’s tendon)

Connective tissue that attaches the gastrocnemius and soleus to the heel bone.

Iliotibial tract

Connective tissue that attaches the gluteus maximus and tensor fasciae latae to the lower leg.

Tibialis anterior

dorsiflexion of the foot.

Gastrocnemius

plantar flexion of the foot.

Soleus

plantar flexion of the foot.

Orbicularis oculi

closes the eye.

Masseter

elevates the mandible.

Buccinator

compresses the cheek.

Orbicularis oris

purses the lips.

Temporalis

elevates the mandible.

Zygomaticus major

allowing to smile.

Sternocleidomastoid

flexes the neck.

Splenius capitis

extends the head and neck.

Trapezius

elevates the shoulder.

Latissimus dorsi

performs adduction.

Pectoralis major

arm flexion and adduction.

External intercostal muscle

elevates ribs for inspiration.

Internal intercostal muscle

Muscle that draws ribs downward to help with expiration.

Diaphragm

Muscle that increases thoracic cavity volume.

Serratus anterior

protracts shoulder

Rectus abdominis

performs trunk flexion.

External oblique

flexes trunk to the opposite side.

Internal oblique

lexes trunk to the same side.

Transversus abdominis

compresses the abdomen.

Rotator Cuff

Muscle group that stabilizes the shoulder, consisting of four muscles.

Supraspinatus

stabilizes the shoulder.

Infraspinatus

stabilizes the shoulder.

Teres minor

stabilizes the shoulder.

Subscapularis

stabilizes the shoulder.

Deltoid

shoulder abduction.

Teres major

performs adduction.

Quadriceps

A term often used to describe the quadriceps femoris muscle group.

Gluteus maximus

Largest and most superficial muscle of the buttocks.

Flexion

Action of bending a joint.

Extension

Action of straightening a joint.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Dorsiflexion

Flexing the foot upwards.

Plantar flexion

Pointing the toes or extending the foot downwards.

Lateral rotation

Rotation away from the midline.

Medial rotation

Rotation toward the midline.

Origin

The fixed attachment point of a muscle.

Insertion

The movable attachment point of a muscle.

Tendon

A fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.