Muscular System: Muscle Origins, Insertions, and Actions

Vocabulary flashcards detailing the anatomical origins, insertions, and actions of 12 major muscles of the human body.

Biceps Brachii

Origin: Long Head: Scapula, Short Head: Scapula; Insertion: Radial Tuberosity; Action: Flexion and supination of the arm at the elbow joint

Triceps Brachii

Origin: Long Head: Scapula, Lateral Head: Humerus, Medial Head: Humerus; Insertion: Ulna; Action: Extension of the arm at the elbow

Brachioradialis

Origin: Humerus; Insertion: Distal end of radius; Action: Flexion of the arm at the elbow

Rectus Abdominis

Origin: Crest of pubis bone; Insertion: Xiphoid process; Action: Stabilizes pelvis during walking and depresses the ribs

Transversus Abdominis

Origin: Inguinal ligament and costal cartilage 7-12; Insertion: Xiphoid process and linea alba; Action: Compression of abdominal contents

Sartorius

Origin: ASIS (Anterior superior iliac spine); Insertion: Tibia; Action: Flexion, abduction and lateral rotation of leg at the hip joint; Flexion of the leg at the knee joint

Vastus Medialis VMO

Origin: Intertrochanteric line; Insertion: Patella; Action: Extension of the leg at the knee and stabilization of the knee

Biceps Femoris

Origin: Long Head: Pelvis, Short Head: Femur; Insertion: Head of fibula; Action: Flexion and lateral rotation of the leg at the knee

Gastrocnemius

Origin: Lateral Head: Lateral femoral condyle, Medial Head: Medial femoral condyle; Insertion: Calcaneus; Action: Plantar flexion at the ankle joint; Flexion at the knee joint

Soleus

Origin: Tibia and fibula; Insertion: Calcaneus; Action: Plantar flexion of the foot at the ankle joint

Trapezius

Origin: Skull and C7-T12; Insertion: Clavicle and Scapula; Action: Abduction of upper limb at shoulder; Elevation, retraction and depression of the scapula

Latissimus Dorsi

Origin: T7-T12 and iliac crest; Insertion: Humerus; Action: Extension, adduction and medial rotation of upper limb at the shoulder