Colored Muscles: Anatomy Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering the location, primary actions, and memory tricks for colored muscles and related structures of the face, neck, thigh, and lower leg.

Masseter

Located on the side of the jaw over the mandibular ramus; elevates the mandible to close the jaw.

Frontalis

Located on the forehead above the eyebrows; raises eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead.

Temporalis

Located at the temple, above the ear; elevates and retracts the mandible.

Occipitalis

Located at the back of the scalp; pulls the scalp backward

Zygomaticus

Extends from the cheekbone to the corner of the mouth; raises mouth corners to smile.

Nasalis

Located on the bridge and sides of the nose; compresses or flares nostrils.

Buccinator

Located in the deep cheek; compresses cheek for blowing and chewing.

Orbicularis oris

Ring around the mouth; closes and puckers lips.

Orbicularis oculi

Ring around the eyes; closes eyelids.

Mentalis

Located on the chin below the lower lip; protrudes lower lip and wrinkles chin.

Trapezius

Located in the upper back and posterior neck; moves scapula and assists neck extension.

Sternocleidomastoid

Located on the side of the neck extending from mastoid to sternum and clavicle; flexes neck and rotates head to opposite side.

Gluteus maximus

Located in the large superficial buttock; extends and laterally rotates the hip. Memory trick:

Biceps femoris

Located on the outer (lateral) back thigh; flexes knee and the long head extends hip.

Semitendinosus

Superficial muscle located on the inner (medial) posterior thigh; flexes knee, extends hip, and medially rotates leg.

Semimembranosus

Located on the inner posterior thigh, deep to semitendinosus; flexes knee, extends hip, and medially rotates leg.

Tensor fasciae latae

Located in the upper outer hip and thigh; flexes, abducts, and medially rotates hip, and stabilizes the IT band.

Sartorius

Runs diagonally across front thigh from outer hip to inner knee; flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates hip, and flexes knee.

Vastus lateralis

Located on the outer front thigh; extends the knee.

Rectus femoris

Located down the center front thigh; extends knee and flexes hip.

Vastus medialis

Located on the inner front thigh near the knee; extends the knee.

Gracilis

Thin strip along the inner thigh; adducts thigh and assists knee flexion.

Gastrocnemius

Large superficial calf muscle; plantar flexes ankle and assists knee flexion.

Soleus

Located deep to gastrocnemius in the calf; plantar flexes the ankle.

Achilles tendon

Non-muscle structure at the back of the ankle extending from calf to heel bone; transfers calf force to heel for plantar flexion.

Tibialis anterior

Located on the front of the shin just outside the tibia; dorsiflexes and inverts the foot.