Muscle Functions and Locations: Neck, Chest, Arms, Legs, Face

Sternocleidomastoid muscle

Found on the side of the neck and turns and flexes the head.

Trapezius

Found on the upper back and neck and extends the head and moves the shoulder.

Deltoid

Found in the shoulder and abducts the arm. It is also an injection site.

Biceps brachii

Found in the upper arm (anteriorly) and flexes the lower arm and supinates the hand.

Triceps brachii

Found in the upper arm (posteriorly) and extends and adducts the lower arm.

Pectoralis major

Found in the upper chest and adducts and flexes the upper arm.

Intercostals

Found between the ribs and moves the ribs for breathing.

Diaphragm

Found just below the heart and lungs and separates the thoracic and pelvic cavities and contracts as you breathe in and out to help control breathing.

Rectus abdominus

Found from the ribs to the pelvis and compresses the abdomen and flexes the vertebral column.

Latissimus dorsi

Found from the spine to the chest (laterally) and extends and adducts the upper arm.

Gluteus maximus

Found in the buttocks and extends and rotates the thigh. It is also an injection site.

Sartorius

Found in the front of the thigh and abducts the thigh and flexes the leg.

Quadriceps femoris

Found in the front of the thigh and extends the leg. It is also an injection site.

Hamstrings

The group of muscles in the back of the thigh and flex the knee and extend the hip.

Tibialis anterior

Found in the front of the lower leg and flexes and inverts the foot.

Gastrocnemius

Found in the back of the lower leg and flexes and supinates the sole of the foot.

Frontalis

Found on the forehead and raises the eyebrows.

Orbicularis oculi

Encircles the eyes and closes the eyelids.

Zygomaticus

Runs across the cheek to the corner of the mouth and produces smiling and emotional expression.

Orbicularis oris

Encircles the mouth and lips and controls the shape and movement of the lips, like closing the mouth, puckering and speaking.

Buccinator

Forms the cheek and compresses the cheek against the teeth to help chew, swallow and speak and prevents biting of the cheek.

Temporalis

On the side of the head and helps close the jaw and pull it backward.

Masseter

Found on both sides of the face and elevates the mandible to close the mouth and bring teeth together. Felt when teeth are clenched.