salamander

Skull Muscles:

• Adductor Mandibulae – Closes the jaw by contracting and pulling the lower jaw upwards.

• Intermandibularis – Compresses the throat and assists in swallowing by moving the floor of the mouth.

• Depressor Mandibulae – Opens the jaw by pulling the lower jaw downward.

• Geniohyoideus – Moves the hyoid apparatus and aids in swallowing by controlling tongue movement.

Muscles Associated with the Hyobranchial Apparatus:

• Branchiohyoideus – Moves the hyoid arch and assists in swallowing.

• Interhyoideus – Helps in compressing the throat and controlling the movement of the hyoid.

• Rectus Cervicis – Retracts the hyoid and assists in swallowing.

• Levatores Arcuum – Elevates the branchial arches and assists in breathing movements.

Pectoral Girdle and Forelimb Muscles:

Ventral Muscles:

• Procoracohumeralis – Moves the humerus forward.

• Supracoracoideus – Aids in stabilizing and moving the humerus.

• Pectoralis – Draws the humerus toward the body (adduction).

• Humeroantebrachialis – Flexes the forearm at the elbow.

• Coracobrachialis – Assists in forelimb movement and stabilization of the shoulder.

Dorsal Muscles:

• Pectoriscapularis – Moves the scapula and stabilizes the shoulder.

• Cucullaris – Elevates the pectoral girdle.

• Dorsalis Scapulae – Abducts the forelimb (moves it away from the body).

• Latissimus Dorsi – Moves the forelimb backward (retraction).

• Triceps Brachii – Extends the forearm at the elbow.

Trunk Muscles:

• Dorsalis Trunci – Flexes and extends the trunk for body movement.

• Hypaxial Muscles (External Oblique) – Supports and compresses the body wall, assists in lateral bending of the trunk.