HUMAN MUSCLES

FUNCTIONS I. FUNCTIONS

1. Body movement

2. Maintenance of posture
FUNCTIONS of the Muscular System

3. Respiration
4. Production of body heat

5. Communication
6. Constriction of
organs and vessels

7. Heart contraction
 II. PROPERTIES

 Contractility

 Excitability

 Extensibility

 Elasticity

 Tonicity
III. MUSCLE
TISSUE
 SKELETAL MUSCLE
Muscles attach directly (epimysium of the muscle is fused to the
periosteum of a bone) or indirectly (connective tissue wrappings
extend beyond the muscle as a tendon or aponeurosis)

Is enclosed by
epimysium, a
thin layer of
connective tissue.
Smaller bundles
of muscle fibers
are surrounded
by perimysium.
Each muscle
fiber is enclosed
by endomysium
Has 2 attachments, an origin (which is usually the more fixed and
proximal attachment), and an insertion (which is the more movable and
distal attachment).

When muscle contracts, insertion moves towards the origin.

 VI. FUNCTIONAL GROUPS

Coordinated action of several groups of muscles

identify muscles into

Prime movers (agonists) – provide the major force for

producing a specific movement

Antagonists – oppose or reverse a particular movement

Synergists_ aid prime movers to produce a more effective

movement by adding force to a movement or by reducing
undesirable or unnecessary movement

Fixators – specialized synergists that immobilize a

bone or muscle’s origin so that all the tension can be
used to move the insertion bone
 VII. BODY MOVEMENTS

FLEXION- a movement that decreases a joint angle

e.g. bending of elbow or knee
bending forward at the hip

EXTENSION- a movement that increases a joint angle

e.g. straightening the elbow or knee

HYPEREXTENSION- extension is greater than 180o

ABDUCTION- moving a limb away from the midline or median

plane of the body
- also applies to fanning movement of fingers
and toes when they spread apart
ADDUCTION- opposite of abduction
- moving/ movement of a limb toward the
midline of the body

ROTATION- movement of a bone around its longitudinal axis

- common movement of ball and socket joints

CIRCUMDUCTION- combination of flexion, extension,

abduction, and adduction commonly seen
in ball and socket joints such as the
shoulder
- the proximal end of the limb is stationary
and the distal end moves in circles
EXCURSION- moves a structure to one side or the other
e.g. moving the mandible from side to side

PRONATION- rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces

posteriorly

SUPINATION- rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces

anteriorly

INVERSION- turning the sole of the foot inwardly

EVERSION- turning the sole of the foot outwardly

DOSIFLEXION- movement at the ankle that moves the instep
of the foot up
- standing on your heels

PLANTAR FLEXION- straightens the ankle joint causing the

toes to point downward
- standing on your heels

ELEVATION- raises a body structure

e.g. closing the mouth elevates the mandible

DEPRESSION- lowers a body structure

e.g. opening the mouth depresses the
mandible
 VIII. NAMING SKELETAL MUSCLES

 Location– e.g. pectoralis (chest), intercostal (between

ribs), brachii (upper arm)
 Shape– e.g. deltoid (triangle), trapezius (trapezoid),
serratus (saw-toothed), orbicularis (circular),
rhomboideus (diamond), platys (flat), quadratus
(square), gracilis (slender), pectinate (comblike),
piriformis (pear)
 size – e.g. maximus (largest), minimus (smallest),
longus (long), brevis (shortest), latissimus (widest),
longissimus (longest), magnus (large), major (large),
minor (smaller), vastus (great)
 Number of origins – e.g. biceps (two origins),
triceps (three origins), quadriceps
 Origin and insertion –e.g. sternocleidomastoid
 Action – e.g. flexor/ extensor, supinator/ pronator
 Direction of fibers (relative to the body’s midline) –
e.g. rectus (fibers run straight), transverse (fibers run
perpendicular to the body’s midline), oblique (fibers
run diagonally or at angles to the body’s midline)
Major Skeletal Muscles (Anterior View)

The main bulk of muscles

in the body is composed of
skeletal muscles attached
to bones and principally for
locomotion

There are about 400 muscles

 The 40 superficial
muscles here are divided
into 10 regional areas of
the body
Major Skeletal Muscles (Posterior View)

The 27 superficial
muscles here are
divided into seven
regional areas of the
body
 HEAD MUSCLES
They are grouped into facial muscles and chewing
muscles

FACIAL MUSCLES

Muscles involved in lifting the eyebrows, flaring the

nostrils, opening and closing the eyes and mouth,
and smiling

Unique because inserted into other muscles or skin

(rather than bone), and adjacent muscles often fuse

All are innervated by cranial nerve VII (facial nerve)

CHEWING MUSCLES

Begin the breakdown of food for the body

There are four pairs of muscles involved in

mastication- temporalis and masseter
- pterygoids and buccinators

All are innervated by cranial nerve V (trigeminal

nerve)
 HEAD MUSCLES
MUSCLE DESCRIPTION ACTION

bipartite muscle consisting of the pulls the scalp forward and

FRONTALIS and OCCIPITALIS; backward
EPICRANIUS connecting the 2 muscles is the cranial
(OCCIPITOFRONTAL aponeurosis called GALEA
IS) APONEUROTICA
raises eyebrow; wrinkles the
FRONTALIS covers the frontal bone forehead

ORBICULARIS circular shaped muscle around the eyes closes eyelids, squints,
OCULI blinks, winks
ZYGOMATICUS extends from the zygomatic process to raises the corner of the mouth
the corners of the mouth; smiling
muscle

ORBICULARIS ORIS circular muscle of lips; kissing closes the mouth and
muscle protrudes the lips
BUCCINATOR forms the muscular Flattens the cheek
portion of the cheek; in whistling;
runs horizontally sucking, blowing
across the cheek; air out
trumpeter’s muscle
TEMPORALIS fan-shaped muscle synergist of
overlying the temporal masseter
bone
MASSETER covers the angle of the closes the jaw by
lower jaw elevating the
mandible
 TRUNK AND NECK MUSCLES

The neck muscles move the head and shoulder girdle.

The trunk muscles include

1. those that move the vertebral column (most of which
are posterior antigravity muscles)
2. anterior thorax muscles, which move the ribs, head,
and arms
3. muscles of the abdominal wall, which help to move
the vertebral column and, most importantly, form the
muscular natural girdle of the abdominal body wall
 TRUNK AND NECK MUSCLES
MUSCLE DESCRIPTION ACTION

STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID two-headed (sternum and flexes the neck;

clavicle) muscles, found on
each side of the neck; the
Torticollis- a twisted or wry
prayer muscles
neck, may result from injury to
one of the sternocleidomastoid
muscles

Trapezius diamond- or kite-shaped extends the head and thus

muscle mass of the are antagonists of the
posterior neck and upper sternocleidomastoid
trunk
PECTORALIS MAJOR large fan shaped muscle adducts, flexes, & medially
covering upper part of the rotates the arm
chest

PECTORALIS MINOR forms the anterior wall of depresses scapula; elevates

the axilla the ribs

SERRATUS ANTERIOR overlies the lateral portion rotates and abducts scapula;
of the thorax & intercostal elevates the ribs
muscles

SERRATUS POSTERIOR pulls scapula forward

INFERIOR

LATISSIMUS DORSI large, flat muscle that medially rotates, adducts, &
covers the lower back; powerfully extends arm
swimmer’s muscle
TERES MAJOR thick, flattened muscle adducts, extends &
medially rotates arm
inferior to t. minor

TERES MINOR cylindrical, elongated adducts, extends and

inseperable from laterally rotates the arm
infraspinatus

SUPRASPINATUS abducts the arm

INFRASPINATUS triangular muscle extends & laterally rotates

arm
RHOMBOIDS (major muscles that attaches scapula to retracts,rotates & fixes
& minor) the thorax scapula
ERECTOR SPINAE or paired and deep muscles of the prime mover of back
SACROSPINALIS back extension
consists of longissimus,
iliocostalis, & spinalis
EXTERNAL muscles found between ribs; expands the
INTERCOSTALS fibers run obliquely inferiorly and
anteriorly; muscles of inspiration
thoracic cavity
INTERNAL fibers run obliquely inferiorly & decreases size of the
INTERCOSTALS posteriorly; muscles of thoracic cavity
expiration
DIAPHRAGM composed of peripheral muscular most important muscles of
portion & a central tendon breathing
RECTUS ABDOMINIS straplike muscle of the
abdomen; interrupted by 3
transverse fibrous bands of
tissue called tendinous
inscriptions
flexes the vertebral column;
compresses the abdominal
contents during childbirth
and defecation

EXTERNAL OBLIQUE most superficial muscles of the compresses abdomen;

lateral wall of the abdomen; laterally rotates the trunk
fibers run downward medially

INTERNAL OBLQUE muscles deep to the external same as external oblique

oblique; fibers directed at
right angles to those of
external oblique

TRANSVERSUS deepest muscle of the compresses the abdominal

ABDOMINIS abdominal wall; fibers run contents
horizontally across the
abdomen
 UPPER LIMB MUSCLES

Upper limb includes those that attach the limb and girdle to the body
and those that are in the arm, forearm, and hand

The muscles that attach scapula to thorax include trapezius, levator

scapulae, rhomboideus, serratus anterior, and pectoralis. They act as
fixators that hold scapula in position.

The arm is attached to the thorax by pectoralis major and latissimus

dorsi.

Another group, the rotator cuff muscles, includes subscapularis,

supraspinatus, infraspinatus, & teres minor. They form a cuff or cap
over the proximal humerus. They serve to attach humerus to scapula.
Arm can be divided into anterior and posterior compartments.

The anterior compartment includes biceps brachii, brachialis

while

posterior compartment includes triceps brachii,

brachioradialis.

Anterior forearm muscles are used for flexion of wrists and

fingers while

posterior forearm muscles are used for extension.

DELTOID Fleshy triangular muscle that prime mover of arm
forms rounded shape of the
shoulder; best site for
intramuscular injection (if 5
mL or less is administered)
BICEPS large muscle on the anterior
BRACHII surface of the arm; muscle
that bulges when the elbow is
flexed; originates by 2 heads
from shoulder girdle- long
and short heads)
BRACHIALIS lies deep to biceps brachii
abduction
prime mover for the
flexion of the
forearm; supinates
the forearm as in
twisting a corkscrew
and pulling the cork
most powerful flexor
of the forearm; called
the “workhorse” of
the elbow flexors
CORACOBRACHIALIS elongated narrow flexes and adducts
muscle in the arm arm

TRICEPS only muscle fleshing out of primary extensor of

the posterior humerus;
BRACHII called the boxer’s muscle
the forearm;
because it can deliver a antagonist of biceps
straight arm knockout punch; brachii
originates by 3 heads from
shoulder and proximal
humerus- long head, lateral
head, and medial head
BRACHIORADIALIS/ muscle lying at the extensor of the
SUPINATOR LONGUS preaxial border of the forearm
forearm
EXTENSOR CARPI extends and abducts
RADIALIS the wrist

EXTENSOR extends and abducts

CARPI ULNARIS the wrist

EXTENSOR extends fingers

DIGITORUM
PALMARIS flexes the wrist
LONGUS

FLEXOR CARPI flexes and adducts

RADIALIS the wrist

FLEXOR CARPI Extends and adducts

ULNARIS the wrist
 LOWER LIMB MUSCLES

• larger and more powerful than those of upper limbs because

function in stability, locomotion, and maintenance of posture

• cause movement at the hip, knee, and foot

• different from the shoulder girdle which require

several fixator muscles

• origin and insertion are often interchangeable in referring

to these muscles

• muscles include those located in the hip, thigh, leg, and foot
Anterior Hip Muscles include iliopsoas; flexes the thigh

Posterior and Lateral Hip Muscles consist of

gluteal muscles and tensor fascia latae

so named because it tenses lateral fascia

(thick band of CT on the lateral side of the thigh);

abducts the thigh

Thigh Muscles

anterior compartment: flex

e.g. quadriceps femoris (primary
extensor of the leg)
sartorius (longest muscle in the body;
flexes the thigh and leg and
rotates the thigh laterally
for sitting cross-legged)

medial compartment: adduct

posterior compartment: extend

e.g hamstring muscle of the leg
Leg Muscles

anterior compartment: extensors involved in

dorsiflexion
e.g. extensors of foot and toes

lateral compartment: everters of foot and aid in

plantar flexion
e.g. fibularis muscles

posterior compartment: flexors and involved in

plantar flexion
e.g. gastrocnemius which form the
bulge of the calf
of the posterior leg
GLUTEUS superficial muscle of the hip powerful hip extensor that
that forms most of the flesh of acts to bring the thigh in a
MAXIMUS the buttocks straight line with the pelvis
important muscle for
extending the hip when
power is needed when
climbing and jumping
GLUTEUS important muscle for a hip abductor and is
intramuscular injection important in steadying the
MEDIUS especially when more than 5 pelvis during walking
mL is administered
problem: the medial part of
each buttock overlies the large
sciatic nerve; upper outer
quadrant is safe for IM injection
GLUTEUS smallest of gluteal muscles
MINIMUS
ILIOPSOAS- 2 muscles that are fused a prime mover of hip
flexion
psoas major & keep the upper body from
falling backward when we
are standing erect
iliacus
1.RECTUS IM injection site in infants helps flex the hip
FEMORIS with poorly developed
gluteal muscles

2.VASTUS
LATERALIS QUADRICEPS FEMORIS MUSCLE
3.VASTUS
MEDIALIS
4.VASTUS
INTERMEDIUS
SARTORIUS thin straplike muscle; flexes and laterally
rotates the thigh
tailor’s muscle (effects
crosslegged sitting
position)

ADDUCTOR muscles at the medial side adducts or presses

LONGUS; of each thigh the thighs together
ADDUCTOR
MAGNUS
SEMIMEMBRANOSUS muscles of the posterior thigh flexor of the leg
SEMITENDINOSUS
HAMSTRING MUSCLE OF THE LEG (tendon is
long&stringlike and is used by butchers to hang hams)
BICEPS FEMORIS
TIBIALIS superficial muscle on the dorsiflexes and
ANTERIOR anterior leg inverts the foot

PERONEUS 3 peroneus muscles found plantar flexes and

on the lateral part of the everts the foot
leg
1.GASTROCNEMIUS forms the curved calf of the chief flexor of the
posterior leg
leg
arises by 2 heads, one from
each side of the distal femur
and inserts thru the Achilles
tendon
toe dancer’s muscle

CALF MUSCLES
flexes the knee and
small,sometimes absent or 2 in
2.PLANTARIS extends the ankle
each leg

3.SOLEUS cigar-shaped muscle