Table 14.1 :Criteria for Naming Skeletal Muscles

Rectus

Muscle fibers parallel to body midline

Example: Rectus abdominis

Transverse

Muscle fibers perpendicular to body midline

Example: Transverse abdominis

Oblique

Muscle fibers diagonal to body midline

Example: External oblique

Maximus

Largest muscle in the group

Example: Gluteus maximus

Medius

Middle sized muscle in the group

Example: Gluteus medius

Minimus

Smallest muscle in the group

Example: Gluteus minimus

Magnus

Large muscle

Example: Adductor magnus

Brevis

Short muscle

Example: Adductor brevis

Longus

Long muscle

Example: Adductor longus

Latissimus

Widest muscle

Example: Latissimus dorsi

Longissimus

Longest muscle

Example: Longissimus capitis

Major

Larger muscle

Example: Pectoralis major

Minor

Smaller muscle

Example: Pectoralis minor

Vastus

Great

Example: Vastus lateralis

Deltoid

Triangular

Example: Deltoid

Trapezius

Trapezoid

Example: Trapezius

Serratus

Saw-toothed

Example: Serratus anterior

Rhomboid

Diamond-shaped

Example: Rhomboid major

Orbicularis

Circular

Example: Orbicularis oris

Piriformis

Pear-shaped

Example: Piriformis

Platys

Flat

Example: Platysma

Gracilis

Slender

Example: Gracilis

Flexor

Decreases a joint angle

Example: flexor carpi radialis

Extensor

Increases a joint angle

Example: Extensor carpi ulnaris

Abductor

Moves a bone away from the midline

Example: Abductor pollicis brevis

Adductor

Moves a bone toward the midline

Example: Adductor magnus

Levator

Raises or elevates a body part

Example: Levator scapulae

Depressor

Lowers or depresses a body part

Example: Depressor labii inferioris

Supinator

Turns a palm superiorly or anteriorly

Example: Supinator

Pronator

Turns palm inferiorly or posteriorly

Example: Pronator

Tensor

Makes a body part rigid

Example: Tensor fasciae latae

Biceps

Two origins

Example: Biceps brachii

Triceps

Three origins

Example: Triceps brachii

Quadriceps

Four origins

Example: Quadriceps femoris