Axial Skeleton Actions

Elevates ribs and/or flexes neck; rotates opposite side

Scalenus anterior

Elevates ribs and/or flexes neck; rotates same side

Scalenus medius

Elevates ribs and/or flexes neck; rotates same side

Scalenus posterior

Elevates ribs

External intercostals

Depresses ribs

Internal intercostals

Depresses ribs

Transversus thoracis

Elevates ribs, enlarges thoracic cavity

Serratus posterior superior

Pulls ribs inferiorly, opposes diaphragm

Serratus posterior inferior

Compress abdomen; depress ribs; rotate trunk opposite side

External oblique

Compress abdomen; rotate trunk same side

Internal oblique

Compress abdomen

Transversus abdominis

Expands thoracic cavity; compresses abdominal cavity

Diaphragm

Flex vertebral column; depress ribs

Rectus abdominis

Extend neck; lateral flex same side

Splenius capitis

Extend neck

Splenius cervicis

Extend neck

Spinalis cervicis

Extend vertebral column

Spinalis thoracis

Extend neck; rotate/lateral flex same side

Longissimus capitis

Extend neck; rotate/lateral flex

Longissimus cervicis

Extend vertebral column; lateral flex

Longissimus thoracis

Extend or laterally flex neck; elevate ribs

Iliocostalis cervicis

Stabilize thoracic vertebrae

Iliocostalis thoracis

Extend vertebral column; depress ribs

Iliocostalis lumborum

Extend neck; rotates opposite side

Semispinalis capitis

Extend vertebral column; rotate opposite side

Semispinalis cervicis

Extend vertebral column; rotate opposite side

Semispinalis thoracis

Extend & rotate vertebral column

Multifidus

Extend vertebral column; rotate opposite side

Rotatores

Extend vertebral column

Interspinales

Lateral flexion vertebral column

Intertransversarii

Flex neck

Longus capitis

Flex/rotate neck

Longus colli

Depress ribs; lateral flex; stabilize diaphragm

Quadratus lumborum

Depress mandible or elevate larynx

Digastric (anterior belly)

Depress mandible or elevate larynx

Digastric (posterior belly)

Depress mandible, elevate larynx, retract hyoid

Geniohyoid

Elevate floor of mouth & hyoid; depress mandible

Mylohyoid

Depress hyoid & larynx

Omohyoid

Depress hyoid & larynx

Sternohyoid

Depress hyoid & larynx

Sternothyroid

Elevate larynx

Stylohyoid

Elevate larynx; depress hyoid

Thyrohyoid

Flex neck (together); rotate head opposite side (alone)

Sternocleidomastoid