Muscle Terms

Anterior

toward the front

Externus

superficial muscle

Extrinsic

outside

Inferioris

below/lower

Lateralis

to the side

Medialis/medius/medial

middle

Oblique

diagonal

Posterior

back

Rectus

straight and parallel to midline

Transversus

across(midline)

Abdominis

Abdomic

Auricularis

ear

Brachialis/brachii

arm

Bucco-/buccinator

cheek

Captis

head

Cleido-/-clavius

clavicle

Costalis

ribs

Femoris

Femur

Gluteus

buttocks

Illio

Illium

Infra

below

Masseter

Jaw

Mentalis

chin

Nuchal

back of neck

Oculo

eye

Oris

mouth

Pollicis

thumb

Popliteus

back of knee

Psoas

grion area

Radialis

Radius

Temporalis

Temples

Tibialis

Tibia

Biceps

2 heads

Triceps

3 heads

Quadriceps

4 heads

Deltiod

triangle

Orbicularis

circle

Platys

Flat

Rhombiodeus

Rhombiod

Serratus

jagged

Teres

oval (long)

Splenius

flat oval (bandaid)

Trapezius

trapeziod

Brevis

short

Gracilis

long slender

Latissimus

wide

Longissimus

longest muscle

Longus

long muscle

Major

large

Maximus

largest

Minimus

smallest

Minor

small

Vastus

great (prominent)

Abductor

away from body

Adductor

toward midline

Depressor

pulls apart/ down

Extensor

increase angle

Flexor

decrease angle

Levator

lifts + raise body part

Pronator

rotates palm down

Rotator

pivot muscle

Supinator

rotates palm up