Muscular Anatomy and Actions: Upper Body, Lower Body, and Trunk

Vocabulary practice flashcards defining muscle actions across the upper body, lower body, and trunk.

Upper trapezius

Scapular elevation and upward rotation

Middle trapezius

Scapular retraction (mt)

Lower trapezius

Scapular depression and upward rotation

Levator scapulae

Scapular elevation

Rhomboids (major and minor)

Scapular retraction - r

Serratus anterior

Stabilizes the scapula against the rib cage (protraction is secondary)

Pectoralis minor

Scapular depression, pronation & stabilization

Supraspinatus

Stabilizes the humeral head in the shoulder joint (helps initiate abduction as a secondary action)

Infraspinatus

External rotation of the humerus (i)

Teres minor

External rotation of the humerus (t)

Subscapularis

Internal rotation of the humerus

Latissimus dorsi

Humeral Internal rotation, extension & adduction

Pectoralis major

Adduction, horizontal adduction, and internal rotation of the humerus

Anterior deltoid

Flexion and horizontal adduction of the humerus

Middle deltoid

Abduction of the humerus

Posterior deltoid

Extension and horizontal abduction of the humerus

Biceps brachii

Elbow flexion and forearm supination

Brachialis

Elbow flexion targeted with a pronated grip

Brachioradialis

Elbow flexion (named as a synergist)

Triceps brachii

Elbow extension

Pronator teres

Forearm pronation

Wrist and long finger flexors (including flexor carpi ulnaris and radialis)

Wrist and finger flexion

Wrist and long finger extensors

Wrist and finger extension, and forearm supination

Gluteus maximus

Hip extension

Gluteus medius

Primary mover in Hip abduction

Gluteus minimus

Assists with Hip abduction

Biceps femoris (hamstring)

Hip extension and knee flexion (bf)

Semitendinosus (hamstring)

Hip extension and knee flexion (st)

Semimembranosus (hamstring)

Hip extension and knee flexion (m)

Pectineus (adductor)

Hip adduction (p)

Adductor longus

Hip adduction (L)

Adductor brevis

Hip adduction (b)

Adductor magnus

Hip adduction (m)

Gracilis (adductor)

Hip adduction (g)

Psoas major (iliopsoas) & iliacus

Hip flexion

Rectus femoris (quad)

Knee extension (hip flexion is secondary)

Vastus lateralis (quad)

Knee extension (l)

Vastus intermedius (quad)

Knee extension (i)

Vastus medialis (quad)

Knee extension (m)

Gastrocnemius

Ankle plantarflexion

Soleus

Ankle plantarflexion (s)

Peroneus longus

Foot eversion (pl)

Peroneus brevis

Foot eversion (pb)

Peroneus tertius

Foot eversion (pt)

Posterior tibialis

Foot inversion (t)

Rectus abdominis

Trunk flexion

External oblique

Lateral flexion of the trunk and rotation to the opposite side (one side working)

Internal oblique

Lateral flexion of the trunk and rotation to the same side (one side working)

Transverse abdominis

Compression of the abdominal contents (bracing and stabilizing)

Erector spinae (spinalis, longissimus, iliocostalis)

Spinal extension (both sides) and lateral flexion of the trunk (one side)