primary movement of muscles

epicranius: frontalis

raises eyebrows

epicranius: occipitalis

fixes aponeurosis

orbicularis oculi

closes eyelid

levator palpebrae superioris

opens upper eyelid

corrugator supercilii

draws eyebrows together inferiorly (frown)

orbicularis oris

closes lips (kissing)

zygomaticus major

raises corner of mouth upwards (smiling)

buccinator

compresses cheek (whistling & trumping)

platysma

tenses skin of neck (growling/pounting)

superior rectus

elevates eye and turns it medially

inferior rectus

depresses eye and turns it medially

medial rectus

moves eye medially

lateral rectus

moves eye laterally

superior oblique

depresses eye and turns it laterally

inferior oblique

elevates eye and turns it laterally

temporalis

closes jaw

masseter

prime mover of jaw closure (chewing)

pterygoids: medial

aids in grinding movements of teeth

pterygoids: lateral

aids in grinding movements of teeth

tongue

speaking and chewing

sternocleidomastoid

flexes and laterally rotates the head

splenius capitis

extend or hyperextend the head

diaphragm

prime mover of inspiration

intercostals (external)

elevates rib cage

intercostals (internal)

depresses rib cage

scalenes

elevates ribs 1-2 (aids in respiration)

external oblique

flex spine, rotate trunk, flex laterally, compress viscera

internal oblique

flex spine, rotate trunk, flex laterally, compress viscera

transverse abdominis

compress abdominal contents

rectus abdominis

flexes and rotate vertebral column (sit-ups)

erector spine

prime mover of spine extension

quadratus lumborum

flexes vertebral column laterally - core muscle that forms most of posterior abdominal wall and is most often “pulled”

pectoralis minor

draws scapular forward and down

serratus anterior

rotates scapula laterally and upward (punching & planking)

levator scapulae

elevates/adducts scapula

trapezius

rotates, raises, and retracts scapula

rhomboideus minor

stabilizes scapula, retract (adduct) scapula (squaring the shoulders)

rhomboideus major

stabilizes scapula, retract (adduct) scapula (squaring the shoulders)

pectoralis major

prime mover of arm flexion, rotates arm medially and adducts arm

latissimus dorsi

prime mover of arm extension, adducts and medially rotates

deltoid

prime mover of arm abduction

teres major

synergist of latissimus dorsi (lats little helper)

supraspinatus

initiates abduction of arm (humerus)

infraspinatus

rotates arm laterally

teres minor

rotates arm laterally

subscapularis

rotates arm medially

brachialis

a major elbow (forearm) flexor

biceps brachii

flexes elbow and supinates forearm (rotates head laterally)

triceps brachii

prime mover of elbow extension (forearm)

brachioradialis

synergist of flexing forearm

pronator quadratus

prime mover of forearm pronation

pronator teres

pronates forearm

supinator

supinates forearm

flexor carpi radialis

flexes wrist and abducts hand

flexor carpi ulnaris

flexes wrist and adducts hand

flexor digitorum superficialis

flexes hand and fingers

extensor carpi radialis longus

extends and abducts wrist

extensor carpi radialis brevis

extends and abducts wrist

extensor digitorum

prime mover of finger extension

extensor carpi ulnaris

extends and adducts wrist

palmaris longus

tenses skin of palm (not always present)

ischiocanvernosus

retards venous drainage and maintains erection of penis and clitoris

bulbospongiosus

empties male urethra

levator ani muscles

supports pelvic viscera, constricts anal and vaginal sphincters

coccygeus

supports pelvic viscera

iliacus

prime mover for flexing thigh (hip joint) or flexing trunk at thigh

psoas

prime mover for flexing thigh (hip joint) or flexing trunk at thigh plus flexes vertebral column laterally

tensor fasciae latae

braces knee when walking

gluteus maximus

major thigh extensor

gluteus medius

abducts and medially rotates thigh

adductor longus

adducts and medially rotate and flex thigh

adductor magnus

adduct and medially rotate and flex thigh

piriformus

laterally rotate thigh

gracilis

adducts thigh; flexes and medially rotates leg

rectus femoris

extends knee and flexes thigh at hip

vastus lateralis

extends and stabilizes knee

vasus medialis

extends knee

vastus intermedius

extends knee

sartorius

flexes, abducts and laterally rotates thigh; flexes knee (sitting crossed legged)

biceps femoris

extends thigh and flexes knee

semitendinosus

extends thigh and flexes knee

semimembranosus

extends thigh and flexes knee

extensor digitorum longus

prime mover of toe entension

extensor hallicus longus

extends big toe

tibialis anterior

prime mover of dorsiflexion

gastrocnemius

plantar flexes foot

soleus

plantar flexion

flexor hallicus longus

flexes big toe

tibialis posterior

prime mover of foot inversion

fibularis (peroneus) longus

plantar flexes and inverts foot

flexor digitorum longus

flexes toes; plantar flexes and inverts foot