Comparative Anatomy Cat Muscles

Muscle, Origin, Insertion, Action

Cutaneous maximus

Linea alba

Skin

Moves skin of trunk

Xiphihumeralis

Sternum (xiphoid process)

Humerus

Adducts and rotates forelimb

Pectoralis minor

Sternum

Humerus

Adducts and rotates forelimb

Pectoralis major

Sternum

Humerus

Addicts and rotates forelimb

Pectoantebrachialis

Sternum (manubrium)

Fascia of forearm

Adducts and rotates forelimb

Rectus abdominis

Pubis

Sternum & costal cartilage

Compresses abdomen, flexes trunk

Spinotrapezius

Vertebrae

Scapula

Draws scapula dorsally & caudally

Acromiotrapezius

Vertebrae

Scapula

Draws scapula dorsally & medially

Clavotrapezius

Skull

Clavicle & clavobrachialis

Draws humerus cranially

Clavobrachialis

Clavicle

Ulna

Draws humerus cranially

Latissimus dorsi

Thoracolumbar fascia, vertebrae

Humerus

Elevates and draws humerus caudally

Scalenus

Ribs

Vertebrae

Flexes neck & draws ribs anteriorly

Serratus ventralis

Ribs

Scapula

Draws scapula ventrally & cranially

External intercostals

Rib

Rib

Elevates ribs

Internal intercostals

Rib

Rib

Depresses ribs

Sternomastoid

Sternum

Skull (mastoid process)

Rotates head

Cleidomastoid

Clavicle

Skull (mastoid process)

Rotates head

Rhomboideus

Vertebrae

Scapula

Draws scapula dorsally

Masseter

Zygomatic arch

Mandible

Elevates lower jaw

Temporalis

Skull

Mandible

Elevates lower jaw

Digastric

Skull

Mandible

Depresses lower jaw

Supraspinatus

Scapula (supraspinatus fossa)

Humerus

Extends humerus

Infraspinatus

Scapula (infraspinatus fossa)

Humerus

Rotates humerus

Teres major

Scapula

Humerus

Draws humerus medially

Subscapularis

Scapula (subscapular fossa)

Humerus

Draws humerus medially

Levator scapulae ventralis

Atlas and skull

Scapula

Draws scapula cranially

Acromiodeltoid

Scapula

Humerus

Flexes and rotates humerus

Spinodeltoid

Scapula (spine)

Humerus

Elevates and rotates humerus

Biceps brachii

Scapula

Radius

Flexes forearm

Triceps brachii (long, lateral, medial)

Scapula and humerus

Ulna

Extends forearm

Brachialis

Humerus

Ulna

Flexes forearm

Sartorius

Ilium

Tibia via the patella

Adducts and rotates thigh

Tensor fasciae latae

Ilium

Fascia lata of thigh

Tightens fascia lata, flexes thigh

Rectus femoris

Ilium

Tibia via patella

Extends leg

Vastus lateralis

Femur

Patella

Extends leg

Vastus medialis

Femur

Patella

Extends leg

Vastus intermedius

Femur

Patella

Extends leg

Gracilis

Pubic symphysis

Tibia

Adducts and retracts thigh

Semitendinosus

Ischium

Tibia

Flexes leg

Semimembranosus

Ischium

Femur and tibia

Extends thigh

Adductor femoris

Pubic symphysis

Femur

Adducts and retracts thigh

Adductor longus

Pubic symphysis

Femur

Adducts and retracts thigh

Pectineus

Pubic

Femur

Adducts thigh

Illiopsoas

Vertebrae and ilium

Femur

Flexes and rotates thigh

Biceps femoris

Ischium

Patella and tibia

Flexes leg

Gluteofemoralis

Caudal vertebrae

Patella

Abducts & retracts thigh

Gluteus superficialis

Vertebrae

Fascia lata of thigh/femur

Abducts thigh

Gluteus medius

Vertebrae & ilium

Femur

Abducts thigh

Gastrocnemius

Femur and tibia

Calcaneus

Extends foot