Human Anatomy Muscle Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering the origin, insertion, and action of key thoracic, abdominal, limb, head, and neck muscles from the Human Anatomy study guide.

Trapezius origin

Occipital bone, spines of C7 and all thoracic vertebrae

Trapezius insertion

Clavicle, spine and acromion of scapula

Trapezius action

Extends head; elevates, depresses, rotates and retracts scapula

Latissimus dorsi origin

Lower 6 thoracic, all lumbar vertebrae, iliac crest

Latissimus dorsi insertion

Intertubercular groove of humerus

Latissimus dorsi action

Extends, adducts and medially rotates arm

Supraspinatus origin

Supraspinous fossa of scapula

Supraspinatus insertion

Greater tubercle of the humerus

Supraspinatus action

Abducts and stabilizes humerus

Infraspinatus origin

Infraspinous fossa of scapula

Infraspinatus insertion

Greater tubercle of the humerus

Infraspinatus action

Laterally rotates humerus

Subscapularis origin

Subscapular fossa of scapula

Subscapularis insertion

Lesser tubercle of the humerus

Subscapularis action

Medially rotates and stabilizes shoulder

Rhomboids (major and minor) origin

Spinous process of C7-T5

Rhomboids (major and minor) insertion

Medial border of scapula

Rhomboids (major and minor) action

Stabilizes scapula; retracts and rotates downward

Teres major origin

Inferior angle of scapula

Teres major insertion

Lesser tubercle of humerus

Teres major action

Synergist to latissimus dorsi

Teres minor origin

Lateral border of scapula

Teres minor insertion

Greater tubercle of humerus

Teres minor action

Synergist to infraspinatus

Erector Spinae action

Prime mover of back extension (extends back at thigh)

Pectoralis major origin

Clavicle, sternum, costal cartilages

Pectoralis major insertion

Greater tubercle of humerus

Pectoralis major action

Flexes, adducts, medially rotates arm

Pectoralis minor origin

Ribs 3-5

Pectoralis minor insertion

Coracoid process of scapula

Pectoralis minor action

Draws scapula anterior and inferior

Serratus anterior origin

Ribs 1-8

Serratus anterior insertion

Medial border of scapula

Serratus anterior action

Protracts and rotates scapula superiorly and laterally

External intercostals action

Elevates ribs for inspiration

Internal intercostals action

Depresses ribs for forced expiration

External oblique origin

Lower 8 ribs

External oblique insertion

Iliac and pubic crests, linea alba

External oblique action

Flexes and rotates trunk

Internal oblique origin

Lumbar fascia, inguinal ligament, iliac crest

Internal oblique insertion

Lower 4 ribs, pubic crest, linea alba

Internal oblique action

Flexes and rotates trunk

Transversus abdominis origin

Iliac crest, cartilage of lower 6 ribs

Transversus abdominis insertion

Linea alba, pubic crest

Transversus abdominis action

Compresses abdomen

Rectus abdominis origin

Pubic crest and pubic symphysis

Rectus abdominis insertion

Costal cartilage of ribs 5-7, xiphoid process

Rectus abdominis action

Flexes and rotates trunk

Diaphragm origin

Cartilages of lowest ribs, lumbar vertebrae

Diaphragm insertion

Central tendon

Diaphragm action

Prime mover of inspiration

Sartorius origin

Anterior, superior iliac spine

Sartorius insertion

Tibia

Sartorius action

Flexes, abducts, laterally rotates thigh; flexes lower leg

Gracilis origin

Pubis

Gracilis insertion

Medial tibia

Gracilis action

Adducts thigh, flexes and medial rotates lower leg

Rectus femoris origin

Anterior, inferior iliac spine

Rectus femoris insertion

Patella and tibial tuberosity

Rectus femoris action

Flexes thigh at hip; extends lower leg at knee

Vastus lateralis origin

Greater trochanter

Vastus lateralis insertion

Patella and tibial tuberosity

Vastus lateralis action

Extends lower leg at knee

Vastus medialis origin

Linea aspera

Vastus medialis insertion

Patella and tibial tuberosity

Vastus medialis action

Extends lower leg at knee

Vastus intermedius origin

Proximal femur

Vastus intermedius insertion

Patella and tibial tuberosity

Vastus intermedius action

Extends lower leg at knee

Pectineus origin

Pubis

Pectineus insertion

Linea aspera

Pectineus action

Adducts, flexes, medially rotates thigh

Adductor longus origin

Pubis near symphysis

Adductor longus insertion

Linea aspera

Adductor longus action

Adducts, flexes, medially rotates thigh

Adductor magnus origin

Pubis and ischium

Adductor magnus insertion

Linea aspera

Adductor magnus action

Adducts, flexes, medially rotates thigh

Iliopsoas (Psoas major and iliacus) origin

Lumbar vertebrae and iliac fossa

Iliopsoas (Psoas major and iliacus) insertion

Lesser trochanter

Iliopsoas (Psoas major and iliacus) action

Flexes thigh and trunk

Biceps femoris origin

Ischial tuberosity, linea aspera

Biceps femoris insertion

Fibula and tibia

Biceps femoris action

Extends thigh, flexes lower leg at knee

Semimembranosus origin

Ischial tuberosity

Semimembranosus insertion

Medial condyle of tibia

Semimembranosus action

Extends thigh, flexes lower leg at knee

Semitendinosus origin

Ischial tuberosity

Semitendinosus insertion

Medial aspect of proximal tibia

Semitendinosus action

Extends thigh, flexes lower leg at knee

Tensor fasciae latae origin

Iliac crest, anterior superior iliac spine

Tensor fasciae latae insertion

Tibia via iliotibial tract of fascia

Tensor fasciae latae action

Steadies trunk on thigh

Gluteus maximus origin

Ilium, sacrum, coccyx

Gluteus maximus insertion

Gluteal tuberosity

Gluteus maximus action

Extends thigh

Gluteus medius origin

Ilium

Gluteus medius insertion

Greater trochanter

Gluteus medius action

Abducts, medially rotates thigh

Gastrocnemius origin

Medial and lateral condyles of femur