actions of muscles of the upper limb

pectoralis major

• flexion at the shoulder

• adduction at the shoulder joint

• medial rotation

deltoid (anterior middle and posterior heads)

• mainly abduction

• anterior = flexion

• middle = abduction

• posterior = extension

supraspinatus

abduction at the shoulder joint

infraspinatus

lateral rotation

teres minor (same as infraspinatus, synergists)

lateral rotation

teres major (antagonist to teres minor in one of the actions)

• extension

• medial rotation

• adduction

subscapularis

medial rotation

latissimus dorsi (synergist with teres major)

• extension at shoulder

• medial rotation

• adduction

coracobrachialis (synergist to latissimus dorsi and teres major)

• flexion at the shoulder

• adduction

biceps brachii

• supination of the palm

• flexion at the elbow

brachialis (synergist to biceps)

flexion at the elbow

triceps

extension at the elbow

anconeus (synergists to triceps)

extension at the elbow

brachioradialis

flexion at the elbow

extensor carpi radialis longus/brevis

extension at the wrist

extensor digitorum

extension of the digits

extensor digiti minimi

extension of the digits

extensor carpi ulnaris

extension of the wrist

pronator teres

pronation of the wrist

flexor carpi radialis

flexion at the wrist

palmaris longus

flexion at the wrist

flexor carpi ulnaris

flexion at the wrist

flexor digitorum superficialis

flexion of the digits and then the wrist

flexor pollicis longus

flexion of the thumb

flexor digitorum profundus

flexion of the digits