Human Muscular Anatomy: Origins, Insertions, Actions, and Innervations

Vocabulary flashcards detailing the origin, insertion, action, and innervation of various head, trunk, upper limb, and lower limb muscles.

Orbicularis oculi

Originates at the frontal and maxillary bones, inserts into the tissue of the eyelid, closes the eye, and is innervated by the Facial nerve (CNVII).

Sternocleidomastoid

Originates at the manubrium of the sternum and medial part of the clavicle, inserts into the mastoid process (temporal bone), flexes the neck and rotates the head, and is innervated by the Spinal Accessory nerve (CN XI).

Masseter

Originates at the zygomatic arch and zygomatic bone, inserts into the angle and ramus of the mandible, closes the jaw (mandible elevation), and is innervated by the Trigeminal nerve (CN V).

Temporalis

Originates at the temporal fossa, inserts into the coronoid process of the mandible, closes the jaw, and is innervated by the Trigeminal nerve (CN V).

Deltoid

Originates at the lateral 1/3rd of the clavicle, acromion, and spine of the scapula, inserts into the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus, abducts the arm, and is innervated by the Axillary nerve.

Supraspinatus

Originates at the supraspinous fossa, inserts into the greater tubercle of the humerus, abducts the arm, and is innervated by the Suprascapular nerve.

Infraspinatus

Originates at the infraspinous fossa, inserts into the greater tubercle, externally rotates the arm, and is innervated by the Suprascapular nerve.

Biceps brachii

Originates at the coracoid process (short head) and edge of the glenoid cavity (long head), inserts into the radial tuberosity (of radius), flexes and supinates the forearm, and is innervated by the Musculocutaneous nerve.

Brachialis

Originates at the anterior surface of the distal humerus (flanks deltoid tuberosity), inserts into the coronoid process of the ulna, flexes the forearm, and is innervated by the Musculocutaneous nerve.

Adductor longus

Originates close to the pubic symphysis, inserts into the linea aspera, adducts, flexes, and medially rotates the thigh, and is innervated by the Obturator nerve.

Adductor magnus

Originates at the ischium, pubis, and ischial tuberosity, inserts into the linea aspera and adductor tubercle (just superior to medial femoral epicondyle), adducts, flexes, and medially rotates the thigh, extends the thigh, and is innervated by the Obturator and Sciatic nerves.

Biceps femoris

Originates at the ischial tuberosity (long head) and linea aspera (short head), inserts into the head of the fibula and lateral tibial condyle, extends the thigh and flexes the lower leg, and is innervated by the Sciatic nerve.

Gastrocnemius

Originates at the medial and lateral femoral condyles, inserts into the calcaneus via the Achilles tendon, plantarflexes the foot and flexes the lower leg, and is innervated by the Tibial nerve.

Tibialis anterior

Originates at the lateral tibial condyle and proximal tibial shaft, inserts into the medial cuneiform (medial tarsal in 1st row) and 1st metatarsal, dorsiflexes the foot, and is innervated by the Deep fibular nerve.