innervation/ function / origin and insertions

Supraspinatus

Abductor of the arm; innervated by the suprascapular nerve.

Infraspinatus

Lateral rotator of the arm; innervated by the suprascapular nerve.

Teres minor

Lateral rotator of the arm; innervated by the axillary (circumflex) nerve.

Subscapularis

Arm adduction and medial rotation; innervated by the upper and lower subscapular nerves.

Teres major

Arm adduction and medial rotation; innervated by the lower subscapular nerve.

Latissimus dorsi

Coughing muscle; pulling yourself up; adduction and medial rotation; extension of arm; innervated by the thoracodorsal nerve.

Trapezius

Draws scapula medial and stabilizes; innervated by accessory nerve (11) and cervical plexus (C3-C4).

Levator scapulae

Draws scapula medially and inclines neck to the same side; innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve (C4-C5).

Rhomboid major

Steadies scapula and holds it in place; innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve (C4-C5).

Rhomboid minor

Steadies scapula and holds it in place; innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve (C4-C5).

Deltoid

Most important abductor of the arm up to 90 degrees; innervated by the axillary nerve.

Coracobrachialis

Flexion, adduction, internal rotation; innervated by musculocutaneous nerve.

Pectoralis major

Adduction, internal rotation; assists with respiration when the shoulder is flexed; innervated by medial and lateral pectoral nerves.

Pectoralis minor

Draws scapula downward, rotates glenoid inferiorly, assists in respiration; innervated by medial and lateral pectoral nerves.

Serratus anterior

Elevation of the arm over 90 degrees; protracts the scapula and holds it against the thoracic wall; innervated by the long thoracic nerve.

Biceps brachii

Elbow joint flexion, shoulder joint flexion; abduction and internal rotation of the humerus; innervated by musculocutaneous nerve.

Brachialis

Flexion at the elbow joint; innervated by musculocutaneous nerve and radial nerve.

Triceps brachii

Elbow extensors; innervated by the radial nerve.

Aconeus

Stabilizer; innervated by the radial nerve.

Pronator teres

Innervated by median nerve; originates at medial epicondyle of humerus, inserts at lateral radius.

Flexor carpi radialis

Innervated by median nerve; originates at medial epicondyle of humerus, inserts at base of 2nd metacarpal.

Palmaris longus

Innervated by median nerve; originates at the medial epicondyle of humerus, inserts at palmar aponeurosis.

Flexor carpi ulnaris

Innervated by ulnar nerve; originates at medial epicondyle of humerus, inserts at pisiform and base of 5th metacarpal.

Flexor digitorum superficialis

Innervated by median nerve; originates at medial epicondyle of humerus, inserts at sides of middle phalanges of 2nd to 5th digits.

Flexor digitorum profundus

Innervated by median and ulnar nerves; originates at ulna, inserts at distal phalanges of 2nd to 5th digits.

Flexor pollicis longus

Innervated by median nerve; originates at radius, inserts at distal phalanx of thumb.

Pronator quadratus

Innervated by median nerve; originates at distal quarter of ulna, inserts at distal quarter of radius.

Extensor digitorum

Innervated by radial nerve; originates at common head, inserts at dorsal digital expansion of 2nd to 5th digits.

Extensor digiti minimi

Innervated by radial nerve; originates at common head, inserts at dorsal digital expansion of 5th digit.

Extensor carpi ulnaris

Innervated by radial nerve; originates at common head and ulnar head, inserts at base of 5th metacarpal.

Supinator

Innervated by radial nerve; originates at olecranon, inserts at radius.

Abductor pollicis longus

Innervated by radial nerve; originates at radius and ulna, inserts at base of 1st metacarpal.

Extensor pollicis brevis

Innervated by radial nerve; originates at radius, inserts at base of proximal phalanx of thumb.

Extensor pollicis longus

Innervated by radial nerve; originates at ulna, inserts at base of distal phalanx of thumb.

Extensor indicis

Innervated by radial nerve; originates at ulna, inserts at posterior digital extension of 2nd digit.

Brachioradialis

Innervated by radial nerve; originates at distal humerus, inserts at radial styloid process.

Extensor carpi radialis longus

Innervated by radial nerve; originates at lateral supracondylar ridge of distal humerus, inserts at base of 2nd metacarpal.

Extensor carpi radialis brevis

Innervated by radial nerve; originates at lateral epicondyle of humerus, inserts at base of 3rd metacarpal.

Adductor pollicis

Innervated by ulnar nerve; functions in adduction at CMC joint of thumb and flexion at MCP joint.

Abductor pollicis brevis

Innervated by median nerve; functions in abduction at CMC joint of thumb.

Flexor pollicis brevis

Innervated by median and ulnar nerves; functions in flexion at CMC joint of thumb.

Opponens pollicis

Innervated by median nerve; functions in opposition at CMC joint of thumb.

Opponens digiti minimi

Innervated by ulnar nerve; draws metacarpals in opposite direction.

Flexor digiti minimi

Innervated by ulnar nerve; functions in flexion at MCP joint of little finger.

Abductor digiti minimi

Innervated by ulnar nerve; functions in flexion, abduction, and extension.

Palmaris brevis

Innervated by ulnar nerve; functions to tighten palmar aponeurosis.