Cat Muscles: Origin, Insertion, and Action

Pectoantebrachialis

Manubrium of the sternum; Proximal end of the ulna; Brings forelimbs towards the chest (adduction)

Pectoralis major

Manubrium and body of sternum, Cartilage of ribs 1-6; Proximal humerus (Greater tuberosity); Medially rotates and adducts the humerus

Pectoralis minor

Ribs 3-5; Coracoid process of scapula; Draws scapula forward and downward

Xiphi-humeralis

Xiphoid process of sternum; Proximal humerus; Adducts forearm

Serratus ventralis

Ribs 1-9 and cervical vertebrae; Medial border of scapula; Supports trunk and extends/flexes scapula

Rectus abdominis

Pubic crest (pubic symphysis); Xiphoid process, ribs 5-7 cartilage; Flexion of vertebral column, compression of abdomen

External oblique

Ribs 5-12; Ilium (iliac crest); Flexion and contralateral rotation of torso, compression of abdomen

Internal oblique

Ilium, side of lower trunk; Ribs 10-12, pubic bone; Flexion and bending the trunk

Transverse abdominis

Lower ribs (7-12), iliac crest; Pubic Crest; Compression of abdomen and structural support the torso

Latissimus dorsi

Thoracic vertebrae; Proximal humerus; Extends the humerus, trunk flexion and extension

Teres major

Inferior scapula; Proximal humerus; Flexes and rotates humerus, flexion of pectoral girdle

Deltoid

Lateral clavicle, acromion process, scapular spine; Deltoid tuberosity (lateral humerus); Abducts, flexes, and extends the arm

Biceps brachii

Coracoid process and glenoid cavity of scapula; Radial tuberosity of radius; Flexion of forearm, supination of forearm

Triceps brachii

Scapula and proximal humerus; Olecranon process of the ulna; Extension of the elbow joint, straightening of forearm, shoulder extension and abduction

Erector spinae

Lumbar vertebrae, sacrum and ilium (iliac crest); Cervical and thoracic vertebrae, ribs, occipital bone; Extension of vertebral column

Trapezius

Thoracic vertebrae; Scapula and clavicle (posterior); Rotates scapula (medially, anteriorally, posteriorly)

Splenius capitis

Processes of C3-C7 cervical vertebrae and T1-T6 thoracic vertebrae; Occipital bone; Extension and rotation of the head

Rhomboideus capitis

Processes of C1-C4 cervical vertebrae; Medial border of scapula; Elevates and retracts the scapula

Rhomboideus major

Processes of T2 to T5 thoracic vertebrae; Medial Border of Scapula; Scapular retraction and downward rotation of the scapula

Supraspinatus

Scapula; Greater tuberosity of humerus; Initiates arm abduction

Infraspinatus

Scapula; Greater tuberosity of humerus; External (lateral) rotation of the arm at the shoulder joint

Sartorius

Anterior ilium; Medial surface of the tibia; Flexes hip; flexes, abducts, and rotates the thigh, flex the knee joint

Gracilis

Pubis; Medial surface of the tibia; Adducts thigh, flexes leg

Tensor fasciae latae

Ilium (iliac crest); Deep fasciae of thigh; Tightens fascia, extends leg, dorsiflexion

Rectus femoris

Ilium, acetabulum; Tibial tuberosity; Extends leg, flexes thigh

Vastus lateralis

Lateral surface of femur; Tibial tuberosity; Extends leg

Vastus medialis

Medial surface of femur; Tibial tuberosity; Extends leg

Semitendinosus

Ischial tuberosity; Medial surface of tibia; Flexes leg, extends thigh

Semimembranosus

Ischial tuberosity; Medial femoral condyle (distal femur); Extends thigh

Adductor longus

Pubic symphysis (pubis); Mid femur (anterior and posterior); Adduction and extension of hip joint

Adductor femoris

Pubic symphysis (pubis); Lateral side of femur; Adduction and extension of hip joint

Biceps femoris

Ischial tuberosity; Tibial tuberosity and head of fibula; Flexion of knee, extension of hip

Anterior tibialis

Lateral surface of tibia; Medial cuneiform and first metatarsal; Dorsiflexion and inversion of foot

Gastrocnemius

Medial and lateral condyles of femur; Calcaneus; Plantar flexion of foot, flexion of knee

Soleus

Tibia and fibula; Calcaneus; Plantar flexion of foot

Achilles tendon

Gastrocnemius and soleus muscles; Calcaneus; Plantar extension of foot