Name of muscle

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Selected muscle action/function

Quadriceps femoris

a muscle group that consists of the following four muscles listed below, often called “Quads” but this shortened term should not be used on an assessment

Extends knee

• Rectus femoris (QUADS)

a

Extends knee, flexes hip

• Vastus lateralis (QUADS)

a,l

Extends knee

• Vastus medialis (QUADS)

a,m

Extends knee

• Vastus intermedius (QUADS)

a

deep to the rectus femoris

Extends knee

Sartorius

a,l,m

flexes and laterally rotates thigh

Iliopsoas

a

Flexes hip

Tensor fasciae latae (THIGH)

a,l

Hip flexion and abduction

Gluteus maximus (THIGH)

p,l

large superficial muscle of the butt

Extends hip

Gluteus medius (THIGH)

p,l

Abducts the hip

Hamstrings

Flex knee & extend hip.

• Semitendinosus

p,m

Flex knee & extend hip.

• Semimembranosus

p,m

long muscle, deep to the semitendinosus

Flex knee & extend hip.

• Biceps femoris

p,l

Flex knee & extend hip.

Adductors

Adducts hip

• Gracilis

m,a,p

Adducts hip

• Adductor longus

a,m

Adducts hip

• Adductor magnus

p,m

Adducts hip

Name of Connective Tissue

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Calcaneal tendon (Achilles’s tendon)

p,l,m

Attaches the gastrocnemius and soleus to the calcaneus (heel) bone.

Iliotibial tract

l

connective tissue attaches the gluteus maximus and tensor fasciae latae to the lower leg.

Name of muscle

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Selected muscle action/function

Tibialis anterior

a

Dorsiflexion of foot

Triceps surae

a muscle group that consists of two muscles found on the posterior side of the lower leg (you do not need to name this group)

Plantar flexion

• Gastrocnemius

p,l,m

Plantar flexion

• Soleus

p,l,m

Plantar flexion

Name of muscle

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Orbicularis oculi

a,l

closes eye

Masseter

l

Elevates mandible

Buccinator

l

Compresses cheek

Orbicularis oris

a,l

Purses lips

Temporalis

l

Elevates mandible

Zygomaticus major

a,l

(smile)

Muscle of the Neck

Selected muscle action/function

Sternocleidomastoid

flexes neck

Muscles of the Back

Selected muscle action/function

Splenius captis

extends head & neck

Trapezius

elevates shoulder

Latissimus dorsi

adduction

Name of muscle

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Selected muscle action/function

Pectoralis major

a

Arm flexion, & adduction

External intercostal muscle

a, l

Elevates ribs for inspiration (inhale)

Internal intercostal muscle

a,l

Draws ribs downward to help expiration (exhale)

Diaphragm

a

P increases thoracic cavity volume

Serratus anterior

a, l

Protracts shoulder, abducts & upward rotation of scapula

Name of muscle

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Clues to help you find the muscle

Selected muscle action/function

Rectus abdominis

a

Trunk flexion

External oblique

a, l

flexes trunk to the opposite side.

Internal oblique

a, l

flexes trunk to SAME side

Transversus abdominis or Transverse abdominal muscle

internal

Compresses abdomen. defecting

Name of muscle

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Rotator Cuff

a muscle group that consists of the following four muscles: Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis.  Use the acronym SITS to remember.

Stabilize shoulder

• Supraspinatus

p

Stabilizes shoulder,

• Infraspinatus

p

Stabilizes shoulder,

• Teres minor

p,a,l

Stabilizes shoulder,

• Subscapularis

a

Stabilizes shoulder,

Deltoid (anterior, middle, posterior)

a,l,p

Shoulder abduction

Teres major

a,m,p

aduction