Appendicular/Axial Muscles Action

Adductor magnus

adducts thigh

Frontalis

Elevates eyebrows

Occipitalis

Retracts scalp

Temporalis

Elevates and retracts mandible

Masseter

Elevates mandible

Orbicularis Oculi

Close eye & depress eyebrow

Buccinator

Draws angle of mouth laterally, compresses cheek

Depressor Labii Inferioris

Depresses lower lip

Levator Labii Superioris

Elevates upper lip

Orbicularis Oris

Closes mouth & protracts lip

Zygomaticus (major/minor)

Elevates angle of mouth

Mentalis

Protract lower lip

Platysma

Depresses mandible and lower lip

Sternocleidomastoid

Rotates head & Flexes Neck

Serratus Anterior

Abduct scapula, depresses glenoid cavity

Trapezius

Upper Fibers: Extend head & Elevate Scapula

Middle Fibers:Adduct Scapula

Lower Fibers: Depress Scapula

Diaphragm

expands thoracic cavity (inspiration)

External Intercostals

Elevates ribs (inspiration)

Internal Intercostals

Depresses ribs (expiration)

Rectus Abdominis

flexes trunk and compresses abdomen

external oblique

Rotate trunk, lateral flexion, compress abdomen

internal oblique

Rotate trunk, lateral flexion, compress abdomen

transverse abdominis

compresses abdomen

Supraspinatus

Stabilize shoulder joint

Infraspinatus

Laterally rotate arm

teres minor

Laterally rotate arm

Subscapularis

Medically rotate arm

Teres major

Medically rotate and adduct arm

Deltoid

Anterior Fibers: flex arm

Posterior: extend arm

All: abduct arm

latissimus dorsi

extend, adduct, medially rotate arm

pectoralis major

Flex, adduct, medially rotate arm

triceps brachii

Extend forearm

biceps brachii

Flex & supinate forearm

Brachialis

Flex forearm

Brachioradialis

Flex forearm

Supinator

Supinate forearm

Pronator Teres

Pronate the forearm

flexor carpi radialis

Flex & abduct wrist

flexor carpi ulnaris

Flex and adduct wrist

palmaris longus

Flex wrist

extensor carpi radialis longus

extend and abduct wrist

extensor carpi ulnaris

Extend and adduct wrist

extensor digitorum

Digit extension & abduction + wrist extension

tensor faciae latae

Flex, abduct, medically rotate thigh

gluteus maximus

Extend, abduct, laterally rotate thigh

gluteus medius

Abduct, medially rotate thigh

adductor longus

Adduct thigh

Pectineus

Adduct thigh

Gracilis

Adduct thigh

Iliopsoas (psoas major)

Flex thigh/trunk (as in a bow), lateral flexion of trunk

Iliopsoas (Iliacus)

Flex thigh/trunk (as in a bow)

Sartorius

Flex, abduct, laterally rotate thigh & flex leg

biceps femoris

Extend thigh & flex leg

Semimembranosus

Extend thigh & flex leg

Semtendinosus

Extend thigh & flex leg

Rectus femoris

Extend leg & flex thigh

vastus lateralis

Extend leg

vastus medialis

Extend leg

tibialis anterior

Dorsiflex & invert foot

Peroneus Longus

Plantarflex & evert foot

Gastrocnemius

Plantar flex foot & flex leg

Soleus

Plantarflex foot

extensor digitorum longus

Toe extension, dorsiflex foot