Muscles of Facial Expression

Region/Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Buccinator

Alveolar processes
of maxillary bone
and mandible

Blends into
fibers of
orbicularis
oris

Compresses cheeks

Facial nerve (N
VII)

Depressor labii
inferioris

Mandible between
the anterior midline
and the mental
foramen

Skin of
lower lip

Depresses lip

As above

Levator labii
superioris

Lower margin of
Orbicularis
orbit, superior to the oris
infraorbital foramen

Elevates upper lip

As above

Mentalis

Incisive fossa of
mandible

Skin of chin

Elevates and protrudes

lower lip

As above

Orbicularis oris

Maxillary bone and

mandible

Lips

Compresses, purses lips

As above

Risorius

Fascia surrounding
parotid salivary
gland

Angle of
mouth

Draws corner of mouth to As above

the side

Depressor anguli
oris

Anterolateral
surface of
mandibular body

Skin at
angle of
mouth

Depresses corner of
mouth

As above

Zygomaticus
major

Zygomatic bone
near the
zygomaticomaxillary suture

Angle of
mouth

Retracts and elevates

corner of mouth

As above

Zygomaticus
minor

Zygomatic bone
Upper lip
posterior to
zygomaticotemporal
suture

Retracts and elevates

corner of mouth

As above

Mouth

Eye

Levator palpebrae Tendinous band

superioris (not
around optic
shown)
foramen

Upper
eyelid

Elevates upper eyelid

Oculomotor
nerve
(N III)*

Orbicularis oculi

Medial margin of
orbit

Skin around
eyelids

Closes eye

Facial nerve (N
VII)

Nasal bones and

Aponeurosis Moves nose, changes

Nose
Procerus

As above

Nasalis

lateral nasal
cartilages

at bridge of
nose and
skin of
forehead

position and shape of

nostrils

Maxillary bone and

alar cartilage of
nose

Bridge of
nose

Compresses bridge,
depresses tip of nose;
elevates corners of
nostrils

As above

Ear (extrinsic)
Temporoparietalis Fascia around
external ear

Galea
Tenses scalp, moves
aponeurotica pinna of ear

As above

Skin of
Raises eyebrows,
eyebrow and wrinkles forehead
bridge of
nose

As above

Scalp (Epicranius)
Frontalis

Galea aponeurotica

Occipitalis

Superior nuchal line Galea

Tenses and retracts scalp
aponeurotica

As above

Upper thorax
Mandible
between cartilage of and skin of
second rib and
cheek
acromion of scapula

As above

Neck
Platysma

Tenses skin of neck,

depresses mandible

Muscles of Mastication
Muscle

Origin

Masseter

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Zygomatic arch Lateral

surface of
mandibular
ramus

Elevates
mandible

Trigeminal
nerve (N V),
mandibular
branch

Temporalis

Along temporal Coronoid

lines of skull
process of
mandible

Elevates
mandible

As above

Pterygoids
(medial and
lateral)

Lateral
pterygoid plate

Medial: Elevates As above

the mandible
and closes the
jaws, or moves
mandible side to
side

Medial
surface of
mandibular
ramus

Lateral: Opens
jaws, protrudes
mandible, or

As above

moves mandible
side to side

Anterior Muscles of the Neck

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Digastric

Two
Hyoid bone
bellies:
posterior
from
mastoid
region of
temporal;
anterior
from
inferior
surface of
mandible at
chin

Depresses
Trigeminal nerve
mandible and/or (N V), mandibular
elevates larynx branch, to anterior
belly

Geniohyoid

Medial
Hyoid bone
surface of
mandible at
chin

As above and
Cervical nerve C1
pulls hyoid bone via hypoglossal
anteriorally
nerve (N XII)

Mylohyoid

Mylohyoid
line of
mandible

Median
connective
tissue band
(raphe) that
runs to hyoid
bone

Elevates floor of Trigeminal nerve

mouth, elevates (N V), mandibular
hyoid bone,
branch
and/or depresses
mandible

Omohyoid

Central
tendon
attaches to
clavicle and
1st rib

Two bellies:
superior
attaches to
hyoid bone;
inferior to
superior
margin of
scapula

Depresses hyoid Cervical spinal

bone and larynx nerves C2-C3

Sternohyoid

Clavicle
Hyoid bone
and
manubrium

As above

Cervical spinal
nerves C1-C3

Sternothyroid

Dorsal
Thyroid
surface of
cartilage of
manubrium larynx
and 1st
costal
cartilage

As above

As above

Facial nerve (N
VII) to posterior
belly

Stylohyoid

Styloid
process of
temporal
bone

Hyoid bone

Elevates larynx

Facial nerve (N
VII)

Thyrohyoid

Thyroid
cartilage of
larynx

Hyoid bone

Elevates
thyroid,
depresses hyoid
bone

Cervical spinal
nerves C1-C2 via
hypoglossal nerve
(N XII)

Together, they
flex the neck;
alone, one side
bends head
toward shoulder
and turns face to
opposite side

Accessory nerve
(N XI) and
cervical spinal
nerves (C2-C3) of
cervical plexus

Sternocleidomastoid Two
Mastoid region
bellies:
of skull
clavicular
head
attaches to
sternal end
of clavicle;
sternal
head
attaches to
manubrium

Oblique and Rectus Muscles*

Group/Muscl
e

Origin

Insertion Action

Innervation

OBLIQUE GROUP
Cervical region
Scalenes

Transverse and costal processes Superior surfaces

of cervical vertebrae
of first two ribs

Elevates ribs
Cervical
and/or flexes neck spinal nerves

Thoracic region
External
intercostals

Inferior
border of
each rib

Superior
Elevate ribs
border of the
next rib

Intercostal nerves (branches of

thoracic spinal nerves)

Internal
intercostals

Superior
border of
each rib

Inferior
Depress ribs
border of the
previous rib

As above

Transversus
thoracis

Medial
surface of
sternum

Cartilages of As above
ribs

As above

Abdominal region
External
oblique

Lower eight ribs

Linea
alba
and
iliac

Compresses
abdomen,
depresses
ribs, flexes

Intercostal, iliohypogastric, and

ilioinguinal nerves

crest

or bends
spine

Internal
oblique

Lumbodorsal
fascia and iliac
crest

Lower As above
ribs,
xiphoi
d
process
, and
linea
alba

As above

Transversus
abdominis

Cartilages of lower
ribs, iliac crest,
and lumbodorsal
fascia

Linea
alba
and
pubis

As above

Compresses
abdomen

RECTUS GROUP

Thoracic region
Diaphragm

Xiphoid
process,
cartilages of
ribs 4-10,
and anterior
surfaces of
lumbar
vertebrae

Central
Contraction
Phrenic nerves (C3-C5)
tendinous expands
sheet
thoracic cavity,
compresses
abdominopelvic
cavity

Abdominal region
Rectus
abdominis

Superior
surface of
pubis around
symphysis

Inferior surfaces Depresses ribs,

of costal
flexes vertebral
cartilages (ribs
column
5-7) and xiphoid
process

Intercostal nerves (T7-T12)

Muscles That Move the Pectoral Girdle

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Levator
scapulae

Transverse
processes of
first 4
cervical
vertebrae

Vertebral
border of
scapula near
superior angle

Elevates scapula

Cervical nerves C3-C4 and

dorsal scapular nerve (C5)

Pectoralis
minor

Ventral
surfaces of
ribs 3-5

Coracoid
process of
scapula

Depresses and
protracts shoulder;
rotates scapula so
glenoid cavity moves

Medial pectoral nerve (C8,

T1 )

inferiorly (downward
rotation); elevates ribs
if scapula is stationary
Rhomboideus Spinous
major
processes of
upper
thoracic
vertebrae

Vertebral
Adducts and performs Dorsal scapular nerve (C5)
border of
downward rotation
scapula from
spine to inferior
angle

Rhomboideus Spinous
minor
processes of
vertebrae C7T1

Vertebral
border of
scapula near
spine

As above

As above

Serratus
anterior

Anterior and
superior
margins of
ribs 1-9

Anterior
surface of
vertebral border
of scapula

Protracts shoulder,
rotates scapula so
glenoid cavity moves
superiorly (upward
rotation)

Long thoracic nerve (C5C7 )

Subclavius

First rib

Clavicle
(inferior
border)

Depresses and
protracts shoulder

Subclavian nerve

Trapezius

Occipital
bone,
ligamentum
nuchae, and
spinous
processes of
thoracic
vertebrae

Clavicle and
scapula
(acromion and
scapular spine)

Depends on active
region and state of
other muscles; may
elevate, retract,
depress, or rotate
scapula upward
and/or elevate
clavicle; can also
extend head and neck

Accessory nerve (N XI)

and cervical spinal nerves
(C3-C4)

Muscles That Move the Arm

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Coracobrachialis Coracoid
process

Medial
margin of
shaft of
humerus

Adducts Musculocutaneous
and
nerve (C5-C7)
flexes
humerus

Deltoid

Clavicle and
scapula
(acromion
and adjacent
scapular
spine)

Deltoid
tuberosity of
humerus

Abducts Axillary nerve

humerus (C5-C6)

Supraspinatus

Supraspinous Greater

Abducts Suprascapular

fossa of
scapula

tubercle of
humerus

humerus nerve (C5)

Infraspinatus

Infraspinous
fossa of
scapula

Greater
tubercle of
humerus

Lateral Suprascapular
rotation nerve (C5-C6)
of
humerus

Subscapularis

Subscapular
fossa of
scapula

Lesser
tubercle of
humerus

Medial Subscapular
rotation nerves (C5-C6)
of
humerus

Teres major

Inferior
angle of
scapula

Medial lip of
the
intertubercular
groove of the
humerus

Extends, Lower
adducts, subscapular nerve
and
(C5-C6)
medially
rotates
humerus

Teres minor

Lateral
border of
scapula

Greater
tubercle of
humerus

Lateral Axillary nerve

rotation (C5)
of
humerus

Triceps brachii
(long head)

See Table 11-13

Latissimus dorsi Spinous

processes of
lower
thoracic and
all lumbar
vertebrae,
ribs 8-12,
and the
lumbodorsal
fascia

Floor of the
intertubercular
groove of the
humerus

Extends, Thoracodorsal
adducts, nerve (C6-C8)
and
medially
rotates
humerus

Pectoralis major

Crest of
greater
tubercle and
lateral lip of
intertubercular
groove of
humerus

Flexes, Pectoral nerves

adducts, (C5-T1)
and
medially
rotates
humerus

Cartilages of
ribs 2-6,
body of
sternum, and
inferior,
medial
portion of
clavicle

Muscles That Move the Forearm and Hand

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

PRIMARY ACTION AT THE ELBOW

Action

Innervation

Flexors
Biceps brachii

Short head
Tuberosity of
from the
radius
coracoid
process; long
head from the
supraglenoid
tubercle (both
on the
scapula)

Flexes elbow
and supinates
forearm;
flexes arm

Musculocutaneous nerve (C5C6 )

Brachialis

Anterior,
distal surface
of

Flexes elbow

As above and radial nerve

(C7-C8)

Brachioradiali
s

Lateral
Lateral aspect
epicondyle of of styloid
humerus
process of
radius

As above

Radial nerve (C5-C6)

Extends elbow;
moves ulna
laterally during
pronation

Radial nerve (C7-C8)

Tuberosity of
ulna

Extensors
Anconeus

Posterior
surface of
lateral
epicondyle of
humerus

Lateral
margin of
olecranon on
ulna

Triceps brachii .
lateral head

Superior, lateral
Olecranon process of
margin of humerus ulna

Extends elbow

As above

long head

Infraglenoid
As above
tubercle of scapula

As above

As above

medial head

Posterior surface
of humerus
inferior to radial
groove

As above

As above

As above

PRONATORS / SUPINATORS
Pronator
quadratus

Medial
surface of
distal portion
of ulna

Anterolateral Pronates
surface of
forearm
distal
portion of
radius

Median nerve (C8-T1)

Pronator teres

Medial
Distal lateral As above Median nerve (C6-C7)
epicondyle of surface of
humerus and radius
coronoid
process of
ulna

Supinator

Lateral
epicondyle of
humerus and
ridge of
proximal ulna

Anterolateral Supinates Deep radial nerve (C6)

surface of
forearm
radius distal
to the radial
tuberosity

PRIMARY ACTION AT THE HAND

Flexors
Flexor carpi
radialis

Medial epicondyle
of humerus

Bases of 2nd and

3rd metacarpal
bones

Flexes and
abducts wrist

Median nerve (C6C7 )

Flexor carpi
ulnaris

Medial epicondyle
of humerus;
adjacent medial
surface of
olecranon and
anteromedial
portion of ulna

Pisiform bone,
hamate bone, and
base of 5th
metacarpal bone

Flexes and
adducts wrist

Ulnar nerve (C8T1 )

Palmaris
longus

Medial epicondyle
of humerus

Palmar aponeurosis
and flexor
retinaculum

Flexes wrist

Median nerve (C6C7 )

Extensor carpi
radialis longus

Lateral
supracondylar
ridge of humerus

Base of 2nd
metacarpal bone

Extends and
abducts wrist

Radial nerve (C6C7 )

Extensor carpi
radialis brevis

Lateral epicondyle
of humerus

Base of 3rd
metacarpal bone

As above

As above

Extensor carpi
ulnaris

Lateral epicondyle
of humerus;
adjacent dorsal
surface of ulna

Base of 5th
metacarpal bone

Extends and
adducts wrist

Deep radial nerve

(C6-C8)

Extensors

Muscles That Move the Fingers and Hand

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Abductor
pollicis
longus

Proximal dorsal
surfaces of ulna and
radius

Lateral margin of 1st

metacarpal bone

Abducts thumb

Deep radial nerve

(C6-C7)

Extensor
digitorum

Lateral epicondyle of
humerus

Posterior surfaces of the Extends fingers

phalanges, fingers 2-5
and hand

Deep radial nerve

(C6-C8)

Extensor
pollicis
brevis

Shaft of radius distal to Base of proximal

pollicis longus
phalanx of thumb

Extends thumb,
abducts hand

Deep radial nerve

(C6-C7)

Extensor

Posterior and lateral

Extends thumb,

Deep radial nerve

Base of distal phalanx

pollicis
longus

surfaces of ulna and

of thumb
interosseous membrane

abducts hand

(C6-C8)

Extensor
indicis

Posterior surface of
ulna and interosseous
membrane

Posterior surface of
phalanges of little (5th)
finger, with tendon of
extensor digitorum

Extends and
adducts little
finger

As above

Extensor
digiti
minimi

Via extensor tendon to

lateral epicondyle of
humerus, and from
intermuscular septa

Posterior surface of
proximal phalanx of
little finger

Extends little
finger

As above

Midlateral surfaces of
middle phalanges of
fingers 2-5

Flexes fingers,
specifically
middle phalanx
or proximal
phalanx; flexes
wrist

Median nerve (C7T1 )

Flexor
Medial epicondyle of
digitorum
humerus; adjacent
superficialis anterior surfaces of
ulna and radius

Flexor
digitorum
profundus

Medial and posterior

Bases of distal
surfaces of ulna, medial phalanges of fingers 2-5
surface of coronoid
process, and
interosseus membrane

Flexes distal
phalanges and,
to a lesser
degree, the other
phalanges and
hand

Palmar interosseous
nerve, from median
nerve and ulnar
nerve (C8-T1)

Flexor
pollicis
longus

Anterior shaft of radius Base of distal phalanx

and interosseous
of thumb
membrane

Flexes thumb

Median nerve (C8T1 )

Muscles That Move the Thigh

Group/Muscle Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Gluteal group
Gluteus
maximus

Iliac crest of ilium,

sacrum, coccyx,
and lumbodorsal
fascia

Gluteus
medius

Gluteus
minimus

Iliotibial tract
and gluteal
tuberosity of
femur

Extends and
laterally rotates
thigh

Inferior gluteal nerve (L5S2)

Anterior iliac crest Greater

of ilium, lateral
trochanter of
surface between
femur
posterior and
anterior gluteal
lines

Abducts and
medially rotates
thigh

Superior gluteal nerve

(L4-S1)

Lateral surface of
ilium between
inferior and
anterior gluteal
lines

Abducts and
medially rotates
thigh

As above

Greater
trochanter of
femur

Tensor fasciae
latae

Iliac crest and

lateral surface of
anterior superior
iliac spine

Iliotibial tract

Flexes, abducts,
and medially
rotates thigh;
tenses fascia
lata, which
laterally
supports the
knee

As above

Lateral rotator group

Obturators
(externus and
internus)

Lateral and
medial
margins of
obturator
foramen

Trochanteric
fossa of femur
(externus);
medial surface
of greater
trochanter
(internus)

Laterally Obturator nerve (externus: L3-L4)

rotate
and special nerve from sacral plexus
thigh
(internus: L5-S2)

Piriformis

Anterolateral Greater
surface of
trochanter of
sacrum
femur

Laterally Branches of sacral nerves (S1-S2)

rotates
and
abducts
thigh

Gemelli
(superior and
inferior)

Ischial spine
and
tuberosity

Medial surface
of greater
trochanter

Laterally Nerves to obturator internus and

rotates
quadratus femoris
thigh

Quadratus
femoris

Lateral
border of
ischial
tuberosity

Intertrochanteric As above Special nerve from sacral plexus

crest of femur
(L4-S1)

Adductor
brevis

Inferior
ramus of
pubis

Linea aspera of
femur

Adducts, medially Obturator nerve (L3-L4)

rotates, and flexes
thigh

Adductor
longus

Inferior
ramus of
pubis
anterior to
adductor
brevis

As above

Adducts, flexes,
and medially
rotates thigh

As above

Adductor
magnus

Inferior
ramus of
pubis
posterior to
adductor
brevis and
ischial
tuberosity

Linear aspera
and adductor
tubercle of
femur

Adducts thigh;
superior portion
flexes and
medially rotates
thigh; inferior
portion extends
and laterally
rotates thigh

Obturator and sciatic nerves

Adductor group

Pectineus

Superior
ramus of
pubis

Pectineal line
inferior to lesser
trochanter of
femur

Flexes, medially
rotates, and
adducts thigh

Femoral nerve (L2-L4)

Gracilis

Inferior
ramus of
pubis

Medial surface
of tibia inferior
to medial
condyle

Flexes leg,
adducts, and
medially rotates
thigh

Obturator nerve (L3-L4)

Iliacus

Iliac fossa of
ilium

Femur distal to
lesser
trochanter;
tendon fused
with that of
psoas

Flexes hip and/or

lumbar spine

Femoral nerve (L2-L3)

Psoas major

Anterior
surfaces and
transverse
processes of
vertebrae
T12-L5

Lesser
trochanter in
company with
iliacus

As above

Branches of the lumbar

plexus (L2-L3)

Iliopsoas group

Muscles That Move the Leg

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Ischial
tuberosity
and linea
aspera of
femur

Head of fibula, lateral

condyle of tibia

Flexes knee,
extends and
laterally rotates
thigh

Sciatic nerve; tibial

portion (S1-S3; to long
head) and common
peroneal branch (L5S2; to short head)

Semimembranosus Ischial
tuberosity

Posterior surface of
medial condyle of tibia

Flexes knee,
medially rotates
leg, and extends
hip

Sciatic nerve (tibial

portion; L5-S2)

Semitendinosus

Ischial
tuberosity

Proximal, medial surface As above

of tibia near insertion of
gracilis

Sartorius

Anterior
Medial surface of tibia
superior iliac near tibial tuberosity
spine

Flexes knee,
flexes hip, and
laterally rotates
thigh

Femoral nerve (L2-L3)

Popliteus

Lateral
condyle of
femur

Medially rotates
tibia (or laterally
rotates femur)

Tibial nerve (L4-S1)

Flexors of the Knee

Biceps femoris

Posterior surface of
proximal tibial shaft

As above

Extensors of the Knee

Rectus femoris

Anterior
inferior iliac
spine and
superior
acetabular
rim of ilium

Vastus
intermedius

Tibial tuberosity via

patellar ligament

Extends knee,
flexes thigh

Femoral nerve (L2-L4)

Anterolateral As above
surface of
femur and
linea aspera
(distal half)

Extends knee

As above

Vastus lateralis

Anterior and As above

inferior to
greater
trochanter of
femur and
along linea
aspera
(proximal
half)

As above

As above

Vastus medialis

Entire length As above

of linea
aspera of
femur

As above

As above

Extrinsic Muscles That Move the Foot and Toes

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

PRIMARY ACTION AT THE ANKLE

Dorsiflexors
Tibialis
anterior

Lateral
condyle and
proximal
shaft of tibia

Base of 1st
metatarsal bone
and medial
cuneiform bone

Dorsiflexes and
inverts foot

Deep peroneal nerve (L4S1)

Plantar flexors
Gastrocnemiu
s

Femoral
condyles

Calcaneus via
calcaneal tendon

Plantar flexes,
inverts, and adducts
foot; flexes knee

Tibial nerve (S1-S2)

Peroneus
brevis

Midlateral
margin of fibula

Base of 5th
metatarsal bone

Everts and plantar

flexes foot

Superficial peroneal
nerve (L4-S1)

Peroneus
longus

Lateral condyle
Base of 1st
of tibia, head and metatarsal bone
proximal shaft of and medial

Everts and plantar

As above
flexes foot; supports
longitudinal arch

fibula

cuneiform bone

Plantaris

Lateral
supracondylar
ridge

Posterior portion
of calcaneus

Plantar flexes foot;

flexes knee

Tibial nerve (L4-S1)

Soleus

Head and
proximal shaft of
fibula, and
adjacent
posteromedial
shaft of tibia

Calcaneus via
calcaneal tendon
(with
gastrocnemius)

Plantar flexes,
inverts, and adducts
foot

Sciatic nerve, tibial

branch (S1-S2)

Tibialis
posterior

Interosseous
Tarsal and
membrane and
metatarsal bones
adjacent shafts of
tibia and fibula

Adducts, inverts,
and plantar flexes
foot

As above

PRIMARY ACTION AT THE TOES

Digital Flexors
Flexor
digitorum
longus

Posteromedial Inferior
Plantar
surface of
surfaces of
flexes toes
tibia
distal
2-5
phalanges, toes
2-5

Flexor hallucis Posterior

longus
surface of
fibula

Inferior
surface, distal
phalanx of
great toe

Sciatic nerve, tibial branch (L5-S1)

Plantar
Sciatic nerve, tibial branch (L5-S1)
flexes great
toe

Digital Extensors
Extensor
digitorum
longus

Lateral
condyle of
tibia, anterior
surface of
fibula

Superior
Extends
surfaces of
toes 2-5
phalanges, toes
2-5

Deep peroneal nerve (L4-S1)

Extensor
hallucis
longus

Anterior
surface of
fibula

Superior
surface, distal
phalanx of
great toe

As above

Extends
great toe