Names of Muscles and Their Functions

Occipitofrontalis

Raises the eyebrows, wrinkles the forehead.

Orbicularis Oculi

Closes the eyelids, causes wrinkles at the lateral corners of the eye.

Levator Palpebrae Superioris

Raises the upper eyelids.

Corrugator Supercilii

Draws the eyebrows inferiorly and medially, producing vertical corrugations (furrows) in the skin between the eyes.

Orbicularis Oris

"Kissing muscles", puckering of lips

Buccinator

Compresses the cheeks to hold food between the teeth.

Zygomaticus Major and Minor

Muscles for smiling, acts on upper lips.

Risorius

Smiling, acts on the angle of the mouth.

Levator Anguli Oris

Separates lips by pulling the upper lip upwards.

Levator Labii Superioris

Raises upper lip, sneering.

Depressor Anguli Oris

Lowers corner of the mouth, frowning.

Depressor Labii Inferioris

Separates lips by pulling the lower lip down.

Mentalis

Wrinkling of chin.

Sternocleidomastoid

There are two on each side of the neck, and are located on the anterior and lateral part of the neck. If one of them contracts, it rotates the head. Whereas, if two of them contract, it flexes or extends the neck or head.

Trapezius

Widest muscle of the body. It is a large triangular muscle from the back of the next to the shoulders going inferiorly to the upper back.

Trapezius

It extends and laterally flexes the neck, as well as elevates and depresses the shoulder.

Scalenes

Deep muscles located in the neck, but inserts to the first and second rib in order to elevate them during inspiration. It is an accessory muscle of respiration. There are three types: anterior, middle, and posterior.

Temporalis, Masseters, and Medial Pterygoid

Muscles that elevate the mandible.

Lateral Pterygoid

Muscle that depresses the mandible.

Masseters, Medial Pterygoid, and Lateral Pterygoid

Muscles that protract the mandible.

Temporalis

Muscle that retracts the mandible.

Tongue

Important in mastication and speech. It moves food around the mouth, holds food in places, pushes food up to the palate and back the pharynx to initiate swallowing, and changes shape to modify sound during speech.

Intrinsic Muscles

They are found entirely within the tongue, and are involved in changing the shape of the tongue. It is named for their fascicle orientation.

Extrinsic Muscles

Found outside of the tongue but attached to it. It helps move the tongue and is named for their origin and insertion.

Genioglossus

Extrinsic muscle that protrudes and depresses the tongue.

Hyoglossus

Extrinsic muscle that retracts and depresses the tongue.

Styloglossus

Extrinsic muscle that retracts the tongue.

Palatoglossus

Extrinsic muscle that elevates the tongue. It is the posterior part.

Superficial Muscles of the Vertebral Column

Connects the vertebrae to the ribs.

Deep Muscles of the Vertebral Column

Connects the vertebrae together.

Erector Spinae

Consists of the iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis. These are back muscles that maintain an erect posture.

External Intercostals

Elevate ribs during quiet, resting inhalation, fibers slanted downward and forwards.

Internal Intercostals

Depress the ribs during forced exhalation, fibers slanted downward and backwards.

Diaphragm

Muscle responsible for normal, quiet breathing. It is dome-shaped, and controlled by the phrenic nerve. Its contraction causes the volume of the thoracic cavity to increase and result in inhalation.

Abdominal Muscles

Causes exhalation, vomiting, defecation, coughing, and childbirth - general term

Linea Alba

White line - extends from the xiphoid process of the sternum through the navel to the pubis. It consists of dense regular collagenous connective tissue only.

Abdominal Wall Muscles

The rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis.

Coccygeus

Elevates and supports the pelvic floor.

Levator Ani

Elevates the anus.

Perineum

Diamond-shaped area just inferior to the pelvic floor. Its anterior half is known as the urogenital triangle, and its posterior half is known as the anal triangle.

Pectoralis Major

Upper chest muscle flexes the shoulder and adducts the arm.

Latisimus Dorsi

"Swimmer's muscle" medial rotation of the arm, adduction of the arm and extension of the shoulder.

Deltoid

Triangular muscle on the shoulder that forms a rounded mass, common site for injections, abduction of shoulder.

Rotator Cuff

A group of muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint by keeping the head of humerus in glenoid of scapula that inserts on the humerus.

Rotator Cuff Muscles

Consists of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.

Flexors of the Elbow

Biceps brachii, brachialis, and coraco brachialis.

Extensor of the Elbow

Triceps Brachii

Supinators

Consists of the supinator (found in the posterior of the forearm) and biceps brachii (anterior compartment of the arm).

Pronators

Consists of the pronator quadratus and pronator teres, which are both found in the anterior compartment of the forearm.

Flexor of Elbow

Brachioradialis (found on the lateral forearm).

Iliopsoas

Consists of the iliacus and psoas major. It flexes the hip.

Gluteus Maximus

Common site for injections, extends hip, abducts and lateral rotation of thigh.

Gluteus Medius

Abducts and medial rotation of thigh.

Gluteus Minimus

Abducts and medial rotation of thigh.

Tensor Fasciae Latae

Flexes the hip, abducts and medial rotation of the thigh.

Quadriceps Femorus

Consists of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. It extends the knee and flexes hips.

Sartorius

Longest muscle in the body. It flexes the hip and knee. Lateral rotation of thigh.

Hamstring Muscles

Consists of the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus. It flexes the knee and extends the hip.

Tibialis Anterior

Dorsiflexion of ankle.

Gastrocnemius

Calf muscle, forms bulge of calves, plantar flexion of ankle.

Achilles Tendon

Tendon of Achilles that inserts into the calcaneus.

Soleus

Muscle underneath the gastrocnemius, plantar flexion of ankle.

Plantaris

Freshman's nerve.

Tendinous Intersections

Cross the rectus abdominis at three or more locations, causing the abdominal wall of a lean, well-muscled person to appear segmented.

Muscles of the Upper Limb

The trapezius, the levator scapulae, the rhomboids, the serratus anterior, and the pectoralis minor. These muscles are important for scapular movement and attachment.

Flexor Carpi

Muscles that flex the wrist.

Extensor Carpi

Muscles that extend the wrist.

Flexor Digitorum

Muscles that flex the fingers.

Extensor Digitorum

Muscles that extend the fingers.

Interossei

Muscles that are located between the metacarpal bones, and are responsible for abduction and adduction of the fingers.