Muscle Origin, Insertion, Action

Frontalis

Origin: Epicranial aponeurosis; Insertion: Underneath skin of forehead; Action: Raises eyebrows.

Occipitalis

Origin: Occipital bone; Insertion: Epicranial aponeurosis; Action: Retracts scalp.

Orbicularis Oculi

Origin: Frontal bone; Insertion: Skin around eyes; Action: Blinking.

Orbicularis Oris

Origin: Tissue surrounding lips (maxilla); Insertion: Skin at corners of mouth; Action: Puckers lips.

Zygomaticus Major

Origin: Zygomatic bone; Insertion: Skin at corners of mouth; Action: Smiling.

Temporalis

Origin: Temporal bone; Insertion: Mandible; Action: Closes mouth.

Sternocleidomastoid

Origin: Sternum and clavicle; Insertion: Mastoid process; Action: Tilts head to the side.

Trapezius

Origin: Occipital bone; Insertion: Clavicle; Action: Elevates shoulder.

Latissimus Dorsi

Origin: Thoracic vertebrae; Insertion: Humerus; Action: Extends humerus.

Pectoralis Major

Origin: Clavicle; Insertion: Greater tubercle of humerus; Action: Brings elbows together.

Pectoralis Minor

Origin: Ribs; Insertion: Scapula; Action: Rotates shoulder anteriorly.

Deltoid

Origin: Clavicle; Insertion: Deltoid tuberosity of humerus; Action: Lifts arm at shoulder.

Biceps Brachii

Origin: Coracoid process; Insertion: Radial tuberosity; Action: Flexes elbow.

Brachialis

Origin: Anterior surface of humerus; Insertion: Coracoid process of ulna; Action: Flexes elbow.

Triceps Brachii

Origin: Scapula; Insertion: Ulna; Action: Extends forearm.

Rhomboid Major

Origin: Thoracic vertebrae; Insertion: Scapula; Action: Stabilizes scapula.

Rhomboid Minor

Origin: Cervical and thoracic vertebrae; Insertion: Scapula; Action: Stabilizes scapula.

Gracilis

Origin: Inferior ramus; Insertion: Tibia; Action: Adducts thigh.

Gluteus Maximus

Origin: Coxal bone; Insertion: Femur; Action: Extends hip.

Rectus Femoris

Origin: Anterior inferior iliac spine; Insertion: Tibial tuberosity; Action: Extends knee.

Vastus Lateralis

Origin: Greater trochanter; Insertion: Tibial tuberosity; Action: Extends knee.

Vastus Medialis

Origin: Linea aspera; Insertion: Tibial tuberosity; Action: Kicking.

Vastus Intermedius

Origin: Femur; Insertion: Tibial tuberosity; Action: Kicking.

Tensor Fasciae Latae

Origin: Anterior superior iliac spine; Insertion: Iliotibial tract; Action: Opens thighs.

Sartorius

Origin: Coxal bone; Insertion: Knee joint; Action: Allows crossing of leg.

Biceps Femoris

Origin: Linea aspera of femur; Insertion: Head of fibula; Action: Flexes knee.

Gastrocnemius

Origin: Femur; Insertion: Posterior calcaneus; Action: Plantar flexes foot.

Soleus

Origin: Tibia; Insertion: Posterior calcaneus; Action: Plantar flexes foot.

Diaphragm

Origin: Sternum; Insertion: Central tendon; Action: Inhalation and exhalation.

Rectus Abdominis

Origin: Pubis; Insertion: Sternum; Action: Sitting up.

Abdominal Obliques

Origin: Ribs; Insertion: Linea alba; Action: Twists waist.

Transverse Abdominis

Origin: Ilium; Insertion: Sternum; Action: Squeezes abdomen.