Muscles of the Body

These flashcards cover key muscles, their actions, origins, and insertions.

Buccinator

Compresses cheek (as in sucking). Origin: Molar alveolar region of mandible and maxilla. Insertion: Muscles and skin of lips.

Zygomaticus major

Draws angle of mouth up (as in smile). Origin: Zygomatic bone. Insertion: Skin and muscle at corners of mouth.

Frontalis

Raises eyebrow, wrinkles forehead. Origin: Galea aponeurotica (scalp tendon). Insertion: Skin of eyebrows.

Masseter

Elevates mandible (as in closing mouth). Origin: Zygomatic arch and bone. Insertion: Mandible ramus and angle.

Sternocleidomastoid

Flexes neck (as in cocking head to one side, or flex down if both). Origin: Manubrium, clavicle (medial third). Insertion: Mastoid process of temporal bone.

Deltoid (anterior)

Flexion and medial rotation of humerus at shoulder. Origin: Clavicle. Insertion: Deltoid tuberosity of humerus.

Subscapularis

Medially rotates humerus at shoulder, and stabilizes shoulder. Origin: Subscapular fossa of scapula. Insertion: Lesser tubercle of humerus.

Levator scapulae

Elevates, adducts (retracts) scapula. Origin: Transverse processes C1-C4. Insertion: Medial border of scapula, superior to spine.

Biceps brachii

Flexes elbow, supinates forearm. Origins: Long - supraglenoid tubercle of scapula; Short - coracoid process of scapula. Insertion: Radial tuberosity.

Gastrocnemius

Plantar flexion at ankle, flexes knee. Origin: Medial and lateral epicondyles of femur. Insertion: Calcaneus.

Rectus abdominis

Compresses abdomen, flexes vertebral column. Origin: Pubis crest and symphysis. Insertion: Xiphoid process, costal cartilage 5-7.