Interactions with the Skeleton

Muscles of the vertebral column

Erector spinal: Maintains posture and helps to stand erect; bilateral contraction extends the spinal column and unilateral contraction flexes the column laterally.

Muscles of respiration

External and internal intercostals and diaphragm

External intercostals

Elevates ribs during inhalation

Internal intercostals

Depresses ribs during forced exhalation

Diaphragm

Major muscle of respiration, separates the thoracic and abdominpelvic cavities. Possess a central tendon onto which all of its fibres converge. Contraction and relaxation cause an increase and decrease in the vertical dimensions of the thoracic cavity.

Muscles that move the glenohumeral joint

Triceps and biceps brachii and rotar cuff muscles

Triceps brachii

Extensions of the shoulder and elbow joint.

Biceps brachii

Flexion of the shoulder and elbow joint.

Rotar cuff muscles

4 that stabilise the shoulder joint.

Muscles that move the elbow joint

Biceps brachii, Brachialis, Triceps brachii

Muscles that move the wrist joint, hand and fingers

Mostly extrinsic muscles (muscles that have an origin away from the structure they move)

Muscles that move the hip joint

Rectus femoris (hip flexor; knee extension), Gluteus maximus, medius and minimus

Muscles that move the hip and knee joints

Hamstring extends the hip joint and flex the knee joint.

Thigh muscles that move the knee joint

Quadriceps cause extension of the knee joint