Muscle

Prime mover/agonist

The main muscle responsible for a given movement

Synergist

Muscles that assist and stabilize the prime mover

Antagonist

Muscle that resists the prime mover; responsible for the opposite motion

Platysma

Pulls lower lip (pouting)

Capitis group

Extend, bend & rotate head

Splenius

Part of capitis group

Most superficial

Semispinalis

Part of capitis group

Deep to spinous, along the spine

Longissimus

Part of capitis group

Deeper and longer captious muscle

Erector spine group

* know as group *

All extend and laterally bend the vertebral column

• Semispinalis

• Longissimus

  • ilicostalis muscles

Scalene Group

3 very deep muscles of lateral neck

• flex and slightly rotate the neck

Supinator

Deep oblique muscle in lateral elbow/forearm region

Pronator quadratus

deep and transverse/oblique muscle of anterior wrist

• Pronates forearm

Transversus abdominis

Compresses abdomen, “natural girdle”

Diaphragm

• Major muscle (prime mover) of breathing (inspiration)

• Flattens on contraction

• Also increases abdominal pressure

Vastus intermedius

Deep to the rectus femurs; between vests laterals & medialis

Soleus

Broad calf muscle deep to gastrocnemius; plantar flexes foot

Tibialis Posterior

Deep to soleus (inversion & plantar flexion of foot)

Adductors

a “pulled groin” muscle is usually an adductor

Flexors

the first 3 are hamstrings: fleshy muscles of posterior thigh

• flex knee and extend thigh

Extensors

“quadriceps femoris”

• large fleshy muscle group that covers the front and sides of the thigh

• all 4 extend the leg at the knee

• rectus also flexes the thigh