MUSCLE ORIGIN/INSERTION/ACTION/INNERVATION CHART

Muscles of Upper Extremity

Muscle Name Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Pectoralis Major Medial third of clavicle, front Lateral lip of intertubercular Adducts, flexes, medially Medial and lateral
of sternum, costal cartilages of groove rotates arm pectoral
ribs 5-7
Pectoralis Minor Ribs 3-5 Coracoid process of scapula Protract, depress, medially rotate Medial pectoral
scapula

Subclavius Upper border of 1st rib Subclavian groove of clavicle Protract and depress clavicle Nerve to subclavius (5th and
6th cervical nerves)

Serratus Anterior Ribs 1-8 Ventral surfaces of vertebral Protract and rotate the scapula Long thoracic
(medial) border of scapula

Trapezius Occipital bone, spines of Lateral 1/3 of clavicle, Retract and rotate scapula, tilt head Cranial nerve XI (spinal
C7 and T1-12, and acromion, and spine of scapula back, upper portions elevate accessory nerve)
ligamentum nuchae scapula, lower portion can depress
scapula
Rhomboid Major Spines of T2-5 Vertebral (medial) border of Retract and rotate the scapula Dorsal scapular
scapula between spine and inf.
angle
Rhomboid Minor Ligamentum nuchae, spines of Vertebral border of spine of Retract and rotate the scapula Dorsal scapular
C7 and T1 scapula

Levator Scapulae Transverse Processes of C1-4 Vertebral border of Elevate and rotate of scapula 3rd and 4th cervical spinal
scapula above spine nerves and dorsal scapular

Latissimus Dorsi Thoracolumbar fascia, iliac Intertubercular groove of Extend, medially rotate, and Thoracodorsal
crest, spines of T7-T12, and humerus adduct arm at shoulder
lower 3 ribs
Deltoid Lateral 1/3 clavicle, acromion, Deltoid tuberosity of humerus Abduct arm; anterior fibers flex Axillary
and spine of scapula the arm, posterior fibers extend the
arm
Muscle Name Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Teres Major Inferior angle of scapula Lesser tubercle of humerus Medially rotates and adducts arm Lower subscapular
at shoulder
Teres Minor Lateral border of scapula Greater tubercle of humerus Lateral rotation of arm at shoulder Axillary

Subscapularis Subscapular fossa of Lesser tubercle of humerus Medially rotate and adduct arm at Upper subscapular
scapula shoulder

Supraspinatus Supraspinatus fossa of Greater tubercle of humerus Abduct arm at shoulder Suprascapular
scapula
Infraspinatus Infraspinatus fossa of Greater tubercle of humerus Lateral rotation of arm at shoulder Suprascapular
scapula

Long Head of Biceps Supraglenoid tubercle of Tuberosity of radius and to ulna Flex forearm at elbow, supinate Musculocutaneous
scapula by the bicipital aponeurosis forearm, and flex arm at shoulder

Short head of biceps Coracoid process of scapula Tuberosity of radius and to ulna Flex forearm at elbow, supinate Musculocutaneous
by the bicipital aponeurosis forearm, and flex arm at shoulder

Coracobrachialis Coracoid process of Humerus Flex arm at shoulder Musculocutaneous

Long Head of Triceps Infraglenoid tubercle of Olecranon of ulna Extend forearm at elbow Radial
scapula

Medial Head of Triceps Humerus Olecranon of ulna Extend forearm at elbow Radial

Brachioradialis Lateral supracondylar line of Distal radius Flexes forearm at elbow Radial
humerus
Anconeus Lateral epicondyle of humerus Olecranon of ulna Extend forearm at elbow Radial
Muscles of the Wrist and Hand

Muscle Name Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus Lateral supracondylar ridge Base of 2nd metacarpal (long); Extend and abduct hand at wrist Radial
and Brevis (longus) and lateral epicondyle base of 2nd and 3rd
(brevis) of humerus metacarpals (brevis)

Extensor Digitorum Lateral epicondyle of humerus Middle and distal phalanges of Extends digits 2-5 at all joints Radial
fingers 2-5 via extensor
expansion

Extensor Digiti Minimi Lateral epicondyle of humerus Extensor expansion of digit 5 Extends digit 5 at all joints Radial

Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Lateral epicondyle and ulna Base of 5th metatarsal Extends and adducts hand at wrist Radial

Abductor Pollicis Longus Radius, ulna and interosseous Base of 1st metacarpal Abduct and extend first digit Posterior interosseous
membrane (thumb) at CMC joint

Extensor Pollicis Brevis Radius and interosseous Proximal phalanx of thumb Extend thumb at CMC and MCP Posterior interosseous
membrane joints

Extensor Pollicis Longus Ulna and interosseous Distal phalanx of thumb Extends thumb at CMC, MCP and Posterior interosseous
membrane IP joints
Extensor Indicis Posterior ulna and interosseous Extensor expansion of 2nd digit Extends index finger at all joints Radial
membrane
Supinator Lateral epicondyle of humerus Wraps around lateral surface of Supinates forearm Radial
and ulna radius

Pronator Teres Medial supracondylar Lateral surface of radius Pronate forearm Median
ridge of humerus and coronoid
process of ulna
Flexor Carpi Radialis Medial epicondyle of humerus 2nd and 3rd metacarpals Flex and abduct hand at wrist Median

Palmaris Longus Medial epicondyle of humerus Palmar aponeurosis Flex hand at wrist, tenses palmar Median
aponeurosis
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Medial epicondyle of humerus, Pisiform, hamate, 5th Flex and adduct hand at wrist Ulnar
 olecranon and posterior ulna metacarpal
Muscle Name Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Medial epicondyle of humerus, Middle phalanges of digits 2-5 Flexes all joints from wrist to Median
ulna and radius middle phalanges of digits 2-5
Flexor Pollicis Longus Radius and interosseous Distal phalanx of thumb Flex all 3 joints of thumb Median
membrane
Flexor Digitorum Profundus Ulna and interosseous Distal phalanges of digits 2-5 Flex hand at wrist, flex all joints Median to radial side of
membrane digits 2-5 muscle; ulnar to ulnar side
of muscle
Pronator Quadratus Distal ulna Distal radius Pronates forearm Median

Abductor Pollicis Brevis Scaphoid, trapezium and flexor Proximal phalanx of thumb Abduct thumb Median
retinaculum
Flexor Pollicis Brevis Trapezium (superficial); Radial side of proximal phalanx Flex thumb at CMC and MCP Median; deep head
Trapezoid, capitate (deep) (superficial and deep) joints by ulnar nerve

Opponens Pollicis Trapezium, flexor retinaculum 1st metacarpal Rotate thumb into opposition with Median
digit 5
Adductor Pollicis Capitate, 2nd and 3rd Proximal phalanx of thumb Adduct thumb Ulnar
metacarpals (oblique), 3rd (oblique and transverse)
metacarpal (transverse)
Abductor Digiti Minimi Pisiform Proximal phalanx of digit 5 Abduct digit 5 Ulnar

Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis Hook of hamate, flexor Proximal phalanx of digit 5 Flex digit 5 at MCP Ulnar
retinaculum

Opponens Digiti Minimi Flexor retinaculum 5th metacarpal Rotate digit 5 into opposition with Ulnar
thumb
Lumbricals of the hand Tendons of flexor digitorum extensor expansion of digits 2-5 Flex digits 2-5 at MCP joints, Lateral two, median;
profundus extend digits 2-5 at IP medial two, ulnar
Joints

Dorsal interossei of hand (4) Adjacents sides of two Extensor expansion of digits 2- Abduct digits 2-4; assist lumbrical Ulnar
metacarpals 4 actions

Palmar interossei (3) 2nd, 4th and 5th metacarpals Extensor expansion of digits 2, Adduct digits 2,4, and 5; assist Ulnar
4, 5 lumbrical action
Muscles of the Thorax

Muscle Name Origin Insertion Action Innervation

External Intercostals Lower border of superior rib Upper border of inferior rib Elevate ribs during inspiration Intercostal nerves

Internal Intercostals Inner surface of superior rib Upper border of inferior rib Draw ribs downward during Intercostal nerves
forced expiration

Transversus Thoracis Inner surface of body; Costal cartilages of ribs 2-6 Draw ribs downward Intercostal nerves
xiphoid process

Quadratus Lumborum Iliac crest 12th rib, transverse process of Lateral flexion of spinal Branches of ventral rami of L1-
lumbar vertebrae column at lumbar vertebrae 4
Psoas Major Upper 4 lumbar transverse Lesser trochanter of femur Flexes thigh at hip Branches of ventral rami of
processes; last thoracic; upper 4 lumbar nerves L1-L3
lumbar discs
Psoas Minor Bodies of T12 and L1 Iliopsoas fascia and pectinal Flexes thigh at hip Ventral ramus of L1, L2
line of pubis

Iliacus Iliac fossa Lesser trochanter of femur Flexor thigh at hip Femoral nerve

Rectus Abdominis Pubic crest, pubic symphysis Costal cartilages 5-7; xiphoid Flex vertebral column and T7-T11 intercostal
process compress abdomen; stabilizes and subcostal (12th
pelvis thoracic)
External Oblique Lower 8 ribs (5-12) Anterior iliac crest, linea alba, Compress abdomen; both sides T7-T11 intercostal
pubic tubercle flex vertebral column, one side and subcostal
(unilateral contraction) rotates
vertebral column to opposite
side
Internal Oblique Lumbar fascia, iliac crest and Ribs 10-12, linea Compress abdomen; both sides T7-T11 intercostal, subcostal
lateral half of inguinal alba, pectineal line (via conjoint flex vertebral column, iliohypogastic and
ligament tendon) unilateral contraction rotates ilioinguinal
vertebral column to same side
Transverse Abdominus Internal surface of costal Linea alba, pubic crest, Compress abdomen T7-T11 intercostal, subcostal
cartilage of ribs 7-12; lumbar pectineal line (via conjoint iliohypogastic and
fascia, iliac crest, lateral 1/3 of tendon) ilioinguinal
 inguinal ligament
Muscles of the Thigh

Muscle Name Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Rectus Femoris Anterior inferior iliac spine Patella and tibial tuberosity Extend leg at knee and flex thigh at Femoral
(Part of Quadriceps Femoris) through patellar ligament hip

Vastus Lateralis Greater trochanter of femur, Patella and tibial tuberosity Extend leg at knee Femoral
(Part of Quadriceps Femoris) lateral lip of linea aspera through patellar ligament

Vastus Medialis Intertrochanteric line; medial Patella and tibial tuberosity Extend leg at knee Femoral
(Part of Quadriceps Femoris) lip of linea aspera through patellar ligament

Vastus Intermedius Shaft of femur Patella and tibial tuberosity Extend leg at knee Femoral
(Part of Quadriceps Femoris) through patellar ligament

Sartorius Anterior superior iliac spine Medial surface of tibia Laterally rotate and flex thigh at hip, Femoral
flex leg at knee

Pectineus Pectineal line of pubis Pectineal line of femur Flex, adduct thigh at hip Femoral

Adductor Longus Body of pubis Medial lip of linea aspera Flex, adduct thigh at hip Obturator

Adductor Brevis Body and inferior ramus Pecitineal line of femur and Flex, adduct thigh at hip Obturator
of pubis proximal linea aspera
Adductor Magnus* Inferior ramus of pubis, ramus Gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera Upper: Adduct, flex thigh at hip Upper: Obturator
of ischium and ischial and adductor tubercle Lower: Adduct, extend thigh at hip Lower: Tibial sciatic
tuberosity
Gracilis Body of pubis Medial surface of tibia Adduct thigh at hip, flexes leg at Obturator
knee
Gluteus Maximus Ilium and sacrum Iliotibial tract and gluteal Extend and laterally rotate thigh at Inferior gluteal
tuberosity of femur hip
Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Ilium Greater trochanter of femur Abduct thigh at hip; Anterior: Flex Superior gluteal
Minimus* and medially rotate thigh
Posterior: Extend and laterally rotate
thigh
Muscle Name Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Tensor Fasciae Latae Iliac crest and anterior superior Iliotibial tract (to lateral condyle Flex, abduct thigh at hip Superior gluteal
iliac spine of tibia)

Piriformis Pelvis Greater trochanter and posterior Lateral rotators of thigh at hip Nerve to “muscle
Superior Gemellus part of femur name”
Inferior Gemellus
Obturator Internus
Quadratus Femoris
Obturator Externus

Biceps Femoris Long head: ischial tuberosity Fibular head Flex leg at knee, extend thigh at Long head: Tibial sciatic
Short head: linea aspera hip Short head: Common peroneal
sciatic

Semimembranosus Ischial tuberosity Medial condyle of tibia Flex leg at knee, extend thigh at Tibial sciatic
hip
Semitendinosus Ischial tuberosity Medial surface of tibia Flex leg at knee, extend thigh at Tibial sciatic
hip
Muscles of the Leg

Muscle Name Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Tibialis Anterior Lateral condyle and surface of Medial cuneiform and 1st Dorsiflex and invert foot Deep peroneal
tibia metatarsal
Extensor Digitorum Longus Lateral condyle of tibia Middle and distal phalanges of Dorsiflex and evert foot, extend toes Deep peroneal
and surface of fibula toes 2-5 2-5

Extensor Hallucis Longus Anterior surface of fibula and Distal phalanx of great toe Dorsiflex and invert foot, extend great Deep peroneal
interosseous membrane toe
Peroneus Tertius Anterior surface of fibula and Base of 5th metatarsal Dorsiflex and evert foot Deep peroneal
(Lower fibers of ext. dig. tendon of EDL
longus)
Peroneus Longus Head and lateral surface of 1st metatarsal and medial Plantarflex and evert foot Superficial peroneal
fibula cuneiform
Peroneus Brevis Lateral surface of fibula Tuberosity of 5th metatarsal Plantarflex and evert foot Superficial peroneal

Gastrocnemius Medial and lateral condyles and Unites with tendon of soleus Plantar flex foot (powerful) and flex Tibial
posterior surface of femur and forms the calcaneal tendon leg at knee
(Achilles tendon) to posterior
surface of calcaneus
Soleus Head and posterior Posterior surface of calcaneus Plantarflex foot Tibial
surface of fibula and via calcaneal tendon
soleal line of tibia
Plantaris Posterior surface of femur Joins calcaneal tendon to Planterflex foot and flex leg (small Tibial
posterior calcaneus contribution for both)
Popliteus Lateral condyle of femur and Tibia above soleal line Flex and medially rotate leg at knee Tibial
lateral meniscus
Flexor Digitorum Longus Posterior surface of tibia Distal phalanges of toes 2-5 Flex toes 2-5, Tibial
plantarflex foot
Flexor Hallucis Longus Posterior surface of fibula and Distal phalanx of great toe Flex big toe, plantarflex Tibial
interosseous membrane

Tibialis Posterior Fibula, tibia and interosseous Tuberosity of all tarsals except Plantar flex and invert foot Tibial
membrane talus
Muscles of the Neck and Face

Muscle Name Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Platysma Fascia over pectoralis major Inferior border of mandible, Draw corners of mouth inferiorly; Facial (CN VII - cervical branch)
and deltoid skin, and subcutaneous tissues tense skin of inferior face and neck
of lower face (grimace)
Sternocleidomastoid Manubrium and clavicle Mastoid process Unilateral contraction – tip head Spinal accessory (CN XI) and C2,
toward shoulder while turning head C3
to opposite side;
Bilateral contraction – flex cervical
vertebrae (chin toward chest)
Sternohyoid Manubrium and medial end of Body of hyoid Depress hyoid C1-C3
clavicle

Thyrohyoid Thyroid cartilage Inferior border of body and Depress hyoid, elevate larynx C1
greater horn of hyoid

Sternothyroid Manubrium Thyroid cartilage Depress thyroid cartilage C1-C3

Digastric Mastoid notch (digastric Mandible near symphysis Raise hyoid and base of tongue; Posterior belly: Facial (CN VII)
groove) depress mandibl Anterior belly: Trigeminal (CN V –
mandibular division)
Mylohyoid Mylohyoid line of mandible Hyoid bone and median raphe Elevate hyoid and base of tongue; Trigeminal (CNV – mandibular
depress mandible division)
Geniohyoid Mandible Body of hyoid Elevate hyoid and base of tongue C1, C2

Omohyoid Medial lip of suprascapular Lower border of body of hyoid Depress, retract, and steady hyoid C1-C3
notch
Stylohyoid Styloid process of temporal Body of hyoid Elevate and retract hyoid, elongating Facial (CN VII )
bone floor of mouth
Masseter Lower border of zygomatic Ramus and coronoid process of Raise and protract mandible Trigeminal (CNV – mandibular
arch mandible division)

Buccinator Mandible, alveolar processes of Angle of mouth Compress cheek against molar teeth Facial (CN VII)
maxilla and mandible,
ptyergomandibular raphe