Muscle Anatomy & Function

frontalis

raises eyebrow; wrinkles forehead

procures

wrinkles bridge of nose

nasalis

compresses nose

orbicularis oris

closes eyelids

levator labbi superioris

elevates upper lip

orbicularis oris

closes and protrudes lips

platysma

tenses neck; depresses mandible

zygomaticus minor

elevates upper lip

zygomatic major

elevators corners of mouth

buccinator

compresses cheek

anguli oris

depresses corner of mouth

mentalis

protrudes lower lip

temporalis

elevates and retracts mandible

masseter

elevates mandible

pterygoid

protracts mandible; assists chewing movements

superior oblique

depresses and abducts eye; rotates eyeball

superior rectus

elevates eye

lateral rectus

abducts eye

medial rectus

adducts eye

inferior oblique

elevates and abducts eye; rotates eyeball

inferior rectus

depresses eye

sternocleidomastoid

flexes neck; rotates head to opposite side

scalene muscles

flex and lateral bend neck; elevates first two ribs

digastric

depresses mandible

external intercostal

elevates ribs during inspiration

internal intercostal

depresses ribs during forced expiration

rectus abdominis

flexes vertebral column

external oblique

compresses abdomen

internal oblique

compresses abdomen

transverse abdominus

compresses abdominal contents

trapezius

elevates and retracts scapula

deltoid

abducts arm

latissimus dorsi

extends and adducts arm

supraspinatous

initiates arm abduction

infraspinatous

laterally rotates arm

teres major

adducts and extends arm

teres minor

laterally rotates arm

subscapularis

medially rotates arm

biceps brachiii

flexes elbow; supinates forearm

coracobrachialis

flexes arm

brachialis

primary elbow flexor

triceps brachiii

extends elbow

pronator teres

pronates forearm

flexor carpi radialis

flexes wrist

extensor digitorum

extends fingers

gluteus maximus

extends thigh

rectus femoris

extends knee; flexes thigh

vastus lateralis

extends knee

vastus medialis

extends knee

sartorious

flexes and rotates thigh

adductor longus

adducts thigh

gracilis

adducts thigh

biceps femoris

flexes knee

semitendinosus

flexes knee; extends thigh

semimembranosus

flexes knee; extends thigh

tibialis anterior

dorsiflexes foot

fibularis

everts foot

gastrocnemius

plantar flexes foot

soleus

plantar flexes foot

plantaris

assist plantar flexion

popliteus

unlocks knee