Forelimb and Hindlimb Muscles (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards for major forelimb and hindlimb muscles, including origin, insertion, action, and innervation.

Deep pectoral muscle

Origin: sternum (from 4th rib cartilage); Insertion: lesser tubercle of humerus; Action: draws limb backward, supports trunk; Innervation: Cranial & caudal pectoral nerves.

Transverse superficial pectoral muscle

Origin: sternum (1st–6th rib cartilage); Insertion: lower arm fascia; Action: draws limb forward & backward; Innervation: Cranial & caudal thoracic nerves.

Descending superficial pectoral muscle

Origin: Manubrium sterni; Insertion: humeral crest; Action: draws limb forward & backward; Innervation: Cranial & caudal thoracic nerves.

Rhomboideus cervicis

Origin: Cervical raphe; Insertion: Medial surface of scapula & scapular cartilage; Action: Fixes scapula to trunk, draws limb forward; Innervation: Dorsal & ventral branches of cervical & thoracic nerves.

Rhomboideus capitis

Origin: Occipital bone; Insertion: Medial surface of scapula & scapular cartilage; Action: Draws limb forward, elevates neck & limb; Innervation: Dorsal & ventral branches of cervical & thoracic nerves.

Anconeus

Origin: Distal humerus; Insertion: Lateral olecranon; Action: Extends elbow; Innervation: Radial nerve.

Brachialis

Origin: Caudal neck of humerus; Insertion: Medial radius & ulna; Action: Flexes elbow; Innervation: Musculocutaneous & radial nerves.

Deltoid muscle

Origin: Spine & caudal border of scapula; Insertion: Deltoid tuberosity of humerus; Action: Flexes shoulder, abducts upper arm; Innervation: Axillary nerve.

Coracobrachial muscle

Origin: Coracoid process; Insertion: Medial humerus; Action: Draws upper arm inward & outward; Innervation: Musculocutaneous nerve.

Tensor fasciae antibrachii

Origin: Caudal border of scapula; Insertion: Antebrachial fascia; Action: Extends elbow; Innervation: Radial nerve.

Biceps of forearm (Biceps brachii)

Origin: Supraglenoid tubercle; Insertion: Radial tuberosity; Action: Flexes elbow, extends shoulder; Innervation: Musculocutaneous nerve.

Gluteus superficialis

Origin: Gluteal fascia; Insertion: Third trochanter of femur; Action: Abducts hip; Innervation: Cranial gluteal nerve.

Gastrocnemius

Origin: Caudal aspect of femoral condyles; Insertion: Tuber calcanei; Action: Extends hock, flexes stifle; Innervation: Tibial nerve.

Gemelli

Origin: Ischium; Insertion: Trochanteric fossa of femur; Action: Lateral rotation of hip; Innervation: Sciatic nerve.

Popliteus

Origin: Lateral femoral condyle; Insertion: Caudoproximal tibia; Action: Flexes stifle, rotates tibia medially; Innervation: Tibial nerve.

External obturator

Origin: Ventral pelvis; Insertion: Trochanteric fossa of femur; Action: Lateral rotation of hip, adduction; Innervation: Obturator nerve.

Psoas minor

Origin: Last thoracic & first lumbar vertebrae; Insertion: Arcuate line of ilium; Action: Flexes lumbar spine, stabilizes pelvis; Innervation: Lumbar spinal nerves.

Quadratus lumborum (Quadrate lumbar muscle)

Origin: Last ribs & lumbar transverse processes; Insertion: Wing of ilium; Action: Stabilizes lumbar vertebrae, bends spine laterally; Innervation: Lumbar spinal nerves.

Omotransversarius (Omotransverse muscle)

Origin: Wing of atlas or transverse process of C2; Insertion: Distal scapular spine; Action: Draws neck downward & sideward; Innervation: Accessory nerve.