Sports Massage Diploma: Comprehensive Anatomy and Bony Landmarks

Vocabulary practice cards focusing on muscle origins, insertions, actions, and key bony landmarks across the upper body, spine, hip, and lower extremity.

Gastrocnemius

A lower leg muscle that originates at the posterior condyles of the femur, inserts into the calcaneus via the Achilles Tendon, and acts to produce plantarflexion and weak knee flexion.

Soleus

A lower leg muscle that originates at the posterior and medial tibia and fibula head, inserts into the calcaneus via the Achilles tendon, and acts to produce plantarflexion.

Popliteus

A muscle originating at the lateral epicondyle of the femur and inserting into the posterior tibia; it initiates flexion of the knee and internal rotation of the tibia.

Tibialis Anterior

A lower leg muscle originating at the upper $\frac{1}{2}$ and lateral surface of the tibia, inserting into the base of the 1st metatarsal and medial cuneiform, and acting in dorsiflexion and inversion.

Tibialis Posterior

A deep lower leg muscle originating at the posterior tibia and fibula, inserting into the navicular, cuboid, cuneiforms, and Mets, and acting in plantarflexion and inversion.

Peroneus Longus

A muscle originating at the proximal portion of the lateral fibula, inserting into the 1st metatarsal and medial cuneiform, and acting to evert and plantar flex the foot.

Peroneus Brevis

A muscle originating at the lower $\frac{2}{3}$ of the lateral fibula, inserting into the base of the 5th metatarsal, and acting to evert and plantar flex the foot.

Flexor Digitorum Longus

A muscle originating on the posterior surface of the tibia, inserting into the base of phalanges $1-4$, and acting to flex the toes and plantarflex the foot.

Extensor Digitorum Longus

A muscle originating on the anterior surface of the tibia and fibula, inserting into phalanges $1-4$, and acting to extend the toes and produce dorsiflexion.

Vastus Medialis

A quadriceps muscle originating at the medial femur, inserting into the tibial tuberosity via the patella tendon, and acting to extend the knee.

Vastus Lateralis

A quadriceps muscle originating at the lateral femur, inserting into the tibial tuberosity via the patella tendon, and acting to extend the knee.

Vastus Intermedius

A quadriceps muscle originating at the anterior femur, inserting into the tibial tuberosity via the patella tendon, and acting to extend the knee.

Rectus Femoris

A quadriceps muscle originating at the anterior inferior iliac spine, inserting into the tibialis tuberosity via the patella tendon, and acting to flex the hip and extend the knee.

Semimembranosus

A hamstring muscle originating at the ischial tuberosity, inserting into the posterior portion of the medial condyle of the tibia, and acting to flex the knee and extend the hip.

Semitendinosus

A hamstring muscle originating at the ischial tuberosity, inserting into the anteromedial portion of the proximal tibia, and acting to flex the knee and extend the hip.

Biceps Femoris

A hamstring muscle originating at the ischial tuberosity and linea aspera of the femur, inserting into the fibular head, and acting to flex the knee, extend the hip, and laterally rotate the leg.

Sartorius

A superficial thigh muscle originating at the anterior superior iliac spine, inserting into the anteromedial portion of the proximal tibia, and acting to flex, externally rotate, and abduct the hip.

Gluteus Maximus

A gluteal muscle originating at the lateral sacrum and gluteal surface of the ilium, inserting into the gluteal tuberosity of the femur and IT band, and acting to extend and laterally rotate the femur.

Gluteus Medius

A gluteal muscle originating on the gluteal surface of the ilium, inserting into the greater trochanter, and acting to abduct the femur.

Gluteus Minimus

A gluteal muscle originating on the gluteal surface of the ilium, inserting into the greater trochanter, and acting to abduct and medially rotate the femur.

Piriformis

A deep gluteal muscle originating at the anterior sacrum, inserting into the greater trochanter, and acting to abduct and externally rotate the femur.

Tensor Fascia Latae

A muscle originating at the anterior superior iliac spine, inserting into the lateral tibia via the iliotibial band, and acting to flex and abduct the hip.

Adductor Longus

An adductor muscle originating at the ramis of the pubis, inserting into the middle $\frac{1}{3}$ of the linea aspera of the femur, and acting to adduct the femur.

Adductor Brevis

An adductor muscle originating at the ramis of the pubis, inserting into the lesser trochanter and linea aspera of the femur, and acting to adduct the femur.

Adductor Magnus

An adductor muscle originating at the ramis of the pubis, inserting into the linea aspera and medial epicondyle of the femur, and acting to adduct the femur.

Gracilis

A medial thigh muscle originating at the ramis of the pubis, inserting into the anteromedial portion of the proximal tibia, and acting to adduct and flex the hip.

Pectineus

A muscle originating at the ramis of the pubis, inserting into the pectineal line of the femur, and acting in adduction, flexion, and medial rotation of the femur.

Coracobrachialis

An arm muscle originating at the coracoid process, inserting into the anteromedial surface of the humerus, and acting to weakly flex and adduct the shoulder.

Biceps Brachii

An anterior arm muscle originating at the supraglenoid tubercle and coracoid process, inserting into the head of the radius, and acting to flex the shoulder and arm and supinate the forearm.

Brachialis

An anterior arm muscle originating at the anterior surface of the distal $\frac{1}{2}$ of the humerus, inserting into the coronoid process of the ulna, and acting to flex the arm.

Brachioradialis

A forearm muscle originating at the distal $\frac{1}{3}$ of the lateral humerus, inserting into the styloid process of the radius, and acting to flex the forearm.

Triceps

A posterior arm muscle originating at the infraglenoid process and posterior humerus, inserting into the olecranon process of the ulna, and acting to extend the shoulder and extend the elbow.

Supraspinatus

A rotator cuff muscle originating at the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, inserting into the greater tubercle of the humerus, and acting to abduct the arm.

Infraspinatus

A rotator cuff muscle originating at the infraspinous fossa of the scapula, inserting into the greater tubercle of the humerus, and acting to externally rotate and adduct the shoulder.

Teres Minor

A rotator cuff muscle originating at the lateral border of the scapula, inserting into the greater tubercle of the humerus, and acting to externally rotate and adduct the shoulder.

Subscapularis

A rotator cuff muscle originating at the subscapular fossa of the scapula, inserting into the lesser tubercle of the humerus, and acting to internally rotate the arm.

Anconeus

A posterior elbow muscle originating at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, inserting into the lateral portion of the olecranon process, and acting in extension of the forearm.

Supinator

A muscle originating at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, inserting into the lateral shaft of the proximal radius, and acting to produce supination.

Pronator Teres

A muscle originating at the medial epicondyle of the humerus, inserting into the lateral shaft of the radius, and acting to produce pronation.

Pectoralis Major

An anterior chest muscle originating at the medial clavicle, sternum, and first $6$ ribs, inserting into the bicipital groove, and acting in flexion, adduction, and medial rotation of the humerus.

Pectoralis Minor

An anterior chest muscle originating at ribs $3-5$, inserting into the coracoid process, and acting in protraction of the scapula.

Erector Spinae

A deep back muscle group originating at the sacrum, inserting into the ribs, vertebrae, and cranium, and acting in extension of the spine.

Anterior Scalenes

Neck muscles originating at the transverse processes (TP's) of $C3-C6$, inserting into rib $1$, and acting to side bend the neck and elevate the rib.

Middle Scalenes

Neck muscles originating at the transverse processes (TP's) of $C2-C7$, inserting into rib $1$, and acting to side bend the neck and elevate the rib.

Posterior Scalenes

Neck muscles originating at the transverse processes (TP's) of $C5-C7$, inserting into rib $2$, and acting to side bend the neck and elevate the rib.

Splenius Capitis

A posterior neck muscle originating at the nuchal ligament and spinous processes (SP's) of $C7-T3$, inserting into the mastoid process, and acting to extend, rotate, and laterally flex the neck.

Sternocleidomastoid

An anterolateral neck muscle originating at the sternum and clavicle, inserting into the mastoid process, and acting to rotate, side bend, and flex the neck.

Levator Scapulae

A muscle originating at the transverse processes (TP's) of $C1-C4$, inserting into the superior border of the scapula, and acting to elevate the scapula.

Latissimus Dorsi

A broad back muscle originating at the spinous processes (SP's) of $T7-L5$, iliac crest, $3$ or $4$ ribs, and inferior angle of the scapula, inserting into the bicipital groove of the humerus, and acting to adduct, internally rotate, and extend the arm.

Rhomboid Minor

An upper back muscle originating at the spinous processes (SP's) of $C7-T1$, inserting into the medial scapula, and acting to elevate and retract the scapula.

Rhomboid Major

An upper back muscle originating at the spinous processes (SP's) of $T2-T5$, inserting into the medial scapula, and acting to elevate and retract the scapula.

Trapezius

A large superficial back muscle originating at the SP's of $C7-T12$ and occiput, inserting into the lateral clavicle, acromion process, and spine of the scapula; its upper fibers elevate the scapula, middle fibers retract the scapula, and lower fibers depress the scapula.

Teres Major

A scapular muscle originating at the inferior angle of the scapula, inserting into the bicipital groove, and acting in internal rotation of the arm.

Serratus Anterior

A thoracic wall muscle originating at ribs $1-9$, inserting into the anterior scapula, and acting to protract the scapula.

Iliacus

A muscle originating at the iliac fossa, inserting into the lesser trochanter, and acting in hip flexion.

Rectus Abdominis

An anterior abdominal muscle originating at the pubic crest, inserting into the costal cartilage of ribs $5-7$ and the xiphoid process of the sternum, and acting in flexion of the lumbar spine.

Intercostals

Muscles of the thoracic cage originating at ribs $1-11$, inserting into ribs $2-12$, and acting to elevate and depress the ribs.

Internal Obliques

Abdominal muscles originating at the inguinal ligament and iliac crest, inserting into the inferior ribs and xiphoid process, and acting to rotate the abdomen to the same side.

External Obliques

Superficial abdominal muscles originating at the lower $8$ ribs, inserting into the iliac crest and inguinal ligament, and acting to rotate the torso.

Quadratus Lumborum

A posterior abdominal muscle originating at the iliac crest, inserting into rib $12$ and the transverse processes (TP's) of the lumbar spine, and acting in lateral flexion and extension of the vertebral column.

Transverse Abdominus

A deep abdominal muscle originating at the iliac crest, iliolumbar ligament, and cartilage of the lower $6$ ribs, inserting into the xiphoid process, linea alba, and pubis, and acting in compression of the ribs and viscera.

Flexor Carpi Radialis

An anterior forearm muscle originating at the medial epicondyle, inserting into the base of the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal, and acting in flexion and abduction of the wrist.

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

An anterior forearm muscle originating at the medial epicondyle, inserting into the pisiform, hamate, and 5th metacarpal, and acting in flexion and adduction of the wrist.

Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis

A posterior forearm muscle originating at the lateral epicondyle, inserting into the base of the 3rd metacarpal, and acting in extension of the wrist.

Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus

A posterior forearm muscle originating at the lateral epicondyle, inserting into the base of the 2nd metacarpal, and acting in extension of the wrist.

Extensor Carpi Ulnaris

A posterior forearm muscle originating at the lateral epicondyle, inserting into the 5th metacarpal, and acting in extension of the wrist.

Palmaris Longus

A superficial forearm muscle originating at the medial epicondyle and inserting into the palmar aponeurosis, functioning as a wrist flexor.

Carpal Bones

The eight bones forming the wrist joint: scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum (triquetral), pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate.

Vertebral Curvatures

The distinct curvatures of the spine comprising the cervical curvature ($7$ cervical vertebrae), thoracic curvature ($12$ thoracic vertebrae), lumbar curvature ($5$ lumbar vertebrae), and sacrum curvature.

Sustentaculum Tali

A medial bony prominence of the calcaneus (heel bone) that supports the talus and serves as an important palpation landmark.