Muscular System − Also called striated muscle because

transverse bands, or striations, can

The muscular system is made up of three
be seen under the microscope.
types of muscle:
− Structure: Skeletal muscle cells or
• Skeletal fibers appear striated (banded). Cells
• Smooth are large, long and cylindrical, with
• Cardiac many nuclei.
− Function: Movement of the body:
Responsible for producing body movements, under voluntary control.
maintaining posture and producing body
− Location: Attached to bone or other
heat.
connective tissue.
Consists mostly of muscles attached to the
Four Major Functional Characteristics of
skeleton by tendons.
Skeletal Muscle
Functions of the Muscular System
1. Contractility - the ability of the skeletal
1. Movement of the body. muscle to shorten with force.
2. Maintenance of posture. 2. Excitability – the capacity of skeletal
3. Respiration. muscle to respond a stimulus.
4. Production of body heat. 3. Extensibility – the skeletal muscle’s
5. Communication. capability of being stretched.
6. Constriction of organs & vessels. 4. Elasticity – the ability of skeletal
7. Contraction of the heart. muscles to recoil to their original
resting length after they have been
Three Types of Muscle Tissues stretched.
Skeletal Muscle Tissue Skeletal Muscle Structure
− Attaches to the skeleton and enables Connective Tissue Coverings of Muscle
the body to move.
− It is striated and under voluntary or 1. Epimysium or muscle fascia
conscious control. – connective tissue sheath.
Cardiac Muscle Tissue – covers the entire muscle.
− The muscle of the heart. 2. Perimysium
− It is striated and under involuntary or
unconscious control. – loose connective tissue.

Smooth Muscle Tissue – covers the muscle fasciculi.

− Forms the walls of hollow organs 3. Endomysium

except the heart. – covers the individual muscle fibers.
− It is nonstriated and involuntary.
Muscle Fasciculi
Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle
– bundles of muscle fibers.
− Constitutes approximately 40% of
body weight.
− Most muscles are attached to the
skeletal system.
Muscle Fiber Structure
Muscle fibers
− Single cylindrical fiber with several
nuclei located at its periphery.
Parts of Muscle Fiber
Sarcolemma
− Cell membrane of muscle fibers.
− The muscle fibers’ cell membrane.
Transverse Tubules (T tubules)
− Tube like invaginations.
− Connect the sarcolemma to the
sarcoplasmic reticulum.
− Set of membrane channels, contains
extracellular fluid.
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum (SR)
− Highly organized endoplasmic
reticulum.
− Network of channels that surrounds the
myofibril.
− T tubules and SR enables a nerve
stimulus to initiate contraction of
muscle fiber.
Sarcoplasm
− Cytoplasm of the muscle fiber.
− Includes nuclei, mitochondria, and
myofibrils.
Myofibrils
− Threadlike structures that extend from
one end of the muscle fiber to the
other.
− Fine, longitudinal fibril within a skeletal
muscle fiber; consisting of sarcomeres
composed of thick and
myofilaments.
Myofilaments
− Ultramicroscopic protein thread helping
form myofibrils in skeletal muscle.
Sarcomere
− Repeating units along the myofibril.
− Part of a myofibril formed of actin and
myosin myofilaments.
Myofibrils consists of two major kinds of
protein:
− Actin Filaments (thin)
− Myosin Filaments (thick)
Actin Myofilaments
− Also called thin myofilament.
− Resemble two minute strands of pearls
twisted together.
− Has attachment sites for myofilaments.
Made-up of three components:
− Actin
− Troponin
− Tropomyosin
Components of Actin Myofilaments
Troponin
− Molecules are attached at specific
intervals along the actin myofilaments.
− Have binding sites for Ca2+.
Actin
− a cellular protein found in
microfilaments such as those
comprising myofibrils.
− A type of protein, responsible for
muscle contraction and relaxation.
− A contractile protein.
− It is also responsible for cellular
movement and maintaining cell shape.
Tropomyosin
thin
− The filaments that are located along the
groove between the twisted strands of
actin myofilament subunits.
− Block the myosin filament binding sites on
the actin myofilaments in an unstimulated
muscle
− If no Ca2+ present: The tropomyosin
cover the attachment sites on the actin
myofilament.
− If Ca2+ is present: It will bind with
troponin which causes the tropomyosin
filaments to expose the attachment sites
on the actin myofilaments.
Myosin Myofilaments
− Also called thick myofilament.
− Resemble bundles of minute golf
clubs.
Myosin Heads
– Part of the myosin molecule that
resembles a golf club head.
Three important properties of myosin
heads:
1. The heads can bind to attachment sites
on the actin myofilaments
2. They can bend and straighten during
contraction.
3. They can breakdown ATP, releasing
energy.
Sarcomere
− Basic structural and functional unit of
skeletal muscle.
− The smallest portion of skeletal muscle
capable of contracting.
− Extends from one Z disk to another Z
disk.
− The arrangement of the actin and
myosin myofilament in sarcomeres
gives the banded appearance of
myofibrils.
Z disk
– Network of protein fibers forming an
attachment site for actin myofilaments.
I Band
− Light region of sarcomere.
− Consists only of actin myofilaments.
− Spans each Z disk and ends at the
myosin filament.
A Band
− Darker, central region of each
sarcomere.
− Extends the length of the myosin
myofilaments.
− The actin and the myosin myofilaments
overlap for some distance at both ends
of the A band.
− The alternating I bands and A bands of
sarcomeres are the ones responsible
for the striations of skeletal muscle
fibers when observed in microscope.
H Zone
− Second light zone in the center of
sarcomere.
− Consists only of myosin myofilament.
M Line
– Dark-staining band were the myosin
myofilaments are anchored.
Cardiac Muscle
− Muscle of the heart.
− Responsible for pumping blood.
− Under involuntary control but the heart
rate can be influenced by hormones
(epinephrine or adrenaline) and
techniques (meditation and
biofeedback).
− It’s actin and myosin myofilaments are
also organized in sarcomeres however
it is not uniform like the skeletal
muscle.
− Appears striated but not as distinctly
striated as the skeletal muscle.
Characteristics of Cardiac Muscle
− The rate of cardiac muscle contraction
when stimulated by neurotransmitters
is between the smooth and skeletal
muscle.
 − Contraction is autorhythmic
(generates its own rhythm).
− Exhibits limited anaerobic respiration
(Instead, it continues to contract at a level
that can be sustained by aerobic
respiration thus making it not fatigue).
− Structure: Cardiac muscle cells are
cylindrical and striated and have a
single nucleus; they are branched and
connected to one another by
intercalated disk.
− Intercalated Disk – contain
specialized gap junctions which are
important in coordinating the
contractions of the cardiac muscle
cells.
− Function: Pumps the blood under
involuntary control.
− Location: In the heart.
Smooth Muscle
− Forms the walls of hollow organs
(except the heart).
− Also found in the skin and eyes.
− Responsible for many functions such
as moving food through digestive tract
and emptying the urinary bladder.
− Contains less actin and myosin than
skeletal muscle cells
− Myofilaments are not organized into
sarcomeres thus making it appear
nonstriated.
Characteristics of Smooth Muscle
− Contracts more slowly than skeletal
muscle cells.
− Can periodically and spontaneously
generate action potentials.
− Contraction is autorhythmic.
− Can be stimulated by hormones.
− Organized to form layers.
− Functions as a unit and contract at the
same time.
− Structure: Smooth muscle cells are
tapered at each end, nonstriated and
only have a single nucleus.
− Function: Regulate the size of organs,
forces fluid through tubes, controls the
amount of light entering the eye and
produces “goose flesh” in the skin.
Under involuntary control.
− Location: In hollow organs, such as
the stomach and intestine.
Muscle Contraction
− Contraction of skeletal muscles occur
as actin and myosin myofilaments
slide past one another which causes
the sarcomere to shorten.
− Shortening of the sarcomeres causes
myofibrils to shorten. Hence, causing
the entire muscle to shorten
Sliding Filament Model
− The sliding of actin myofilaments past
myosin myofilaments during
contraction.
− During CONTRACTION: The H zone
and I bands shorten during contraction
but the A bands do not change in
length. The actin and myosin
myofilament don’t shorten.
− During RELAXATION: Sarcomeres
lengthen. This lengthening requires an
opposing force which is produced by
other muscles or gravity
Muscle Twitch
− Is the contraction of a muscle fiber in
response to a stimulus.
Has three phases
− Lag phase or latent phase
− Time between the application of a
stimulus and the beginning of
contraction.
 − Contraction phase
− The time when the muscle
contracts.
− Relaxation phase
− The time when the muscle relaxes.
Summation
– The force of contraction of individual
muscle fibers is increase by rapidly
stimulating them.
Recruitment
– The number of muscle fibers
contracting is increased by the
increasing number of motor units
stimulated and the muscle contracts
with more force.
Tetanus
− Convulsive tension.
− Is a sustained contraction that occurs
when the frequency of stimulation is so
rapid that no relaxation occurs.
Types of Muscular Contractions
Concentric Contractions
− A concentric contraction is a type of
muscle contraction when the length of
the muscles shortens while
undergoing tension
− Ex: when you pick up a curl bar and
perform a biceps curl, the length of
your bicep muscles shorten. Your
hands start down by your sides, and
ends with your hands up by your
shoulders. The biceps muscles
shorten during this motion.
Eccentric Contractions
− An eccentric contraction is a type of
muscle contraction when the length of
the muscle elongates, or
lengthens while undergoing tension.
− Isometric Contractions
− An isometric contraction is a type of
muscle contraction where the length of
the muscle doesn’t change while
undergoing tension.
− E.g.: when you take a 20-pound weight
and perform a biceps curl and hold a
position halfway between the repetition
for 10 seconds. The length of your
biceps muscle doesn’t change during
this time, although a force is still being
applied.
2 Types of Eccentric Contraction
Voluntary Eccentric Contractions
− Typically, this is done in a smooth and
controlled motion where the muscle,
the biceps, acts to decelerate the
elbow joint at the end of the movement.
− The same muscle that started this
motion, the biceps, is now undergoing
tension in the opposite direction. It is
now lengthening as it returns the
weight back down towards your waist.
This is an example of a voluntary
eccentric contraction.
Involuntary Eccentric Contractions
− When the weight or resistance you are
attempting to move or lift is too heavy
or strong for the muscle to
accommodate. The main difference
between this, and the voluntary
eccentric contractions, is the lack of
control over the weight/resistance
during an involuntary eccentric
contraction.
Muscle Tone
− Is the constant tension produced by
muscles over long periods of time.
− Responsible for keeping the back and
legs straight, the head in upright
position, and the abdomen from
bulging.
 − Depends on a small percentage of Muscles are typically grouped so that of
motor units in a muscle being another muscle or group of muscles.
stimulated at any point of time, causing
− Biceps brachii FLEXES elbow
their muscle fibers to contract
− triceps brachii EXTENDS ELBOW.
tetanically and out of phase with one
another. Agonist
Skeletal Anatomy − Muscle that accomplishes a certain
Tendon movement, such as flexion.
Antagonist
− Connects muscle to the bone.
Aponeuroses − A muscle acting on opposition to an
agonist.
− broad, sheet like tendons.
Synergists
Retinaculum
− Members of a group of muscles
− band of connective tissue that holds working together to produce a
the tendons at each wrist and ankle. movement
Muscle contraction Prime mover
− Causes body movement by pulling one − Among group of synergists, if one
of the bones toward the other across muscle plays major role in
the movable joint. accomplishing the desired movement.
− E.g. Brachialis (prime mover in flexing
2 Points of attachment
the elbow)
1. Origin
Fixators
− also called as the “head”, it is the most
− Muscles that hold one bone in place
stationary end of the muscle
relative to the body while a distal bone
− Origins are usually, but not always, is moved.
proximal or medial to the insertion of a
− E.g. Muscle of Scapula (fixators to hold
given muscle.
scapula in place)
2. Insertion
Nomenclature
− Is the end of the muscle attached to the
− Some muscles are named according to
bone undergoing the greatest
their location. Pectoralis (chest)
movement.
− Named according to their origin and
Belly insertion. Brachioradialis (brachio,
arm)
− part of muscle between the origin and
− Named according to the number of
the insertion.
origins. Biceps (bi, two + two)
Some muscles that has multiple origins − Named according to function. Flexor
digitorum (flexes digits, fingers)
1. Biceps brachii (2)
− Named according to their size. Vastus,
2. Triceps brachii (3)
large
 − Named according to their shape. Fusiform
Deltoid, triangular
− Fascicles lie parallel to long axis of
− or orientation of their fasciculi. Rectus,
muscle.
straight.
− Belly of muscle is larger in diameter
Fascicle Arrangement than ends.
− Example: Biceps (two-headed)
Circular
Triceps Brachii (three-headed)
− Fascicles arranged in a circle around
Muscles of the Head and Neck
an opening.
− Act as sphincters to close the opening. Muscles Moving the Head and Neck
− Example: Orbicularis Oris and
Anterior
Orbicularis Oculi.
Longus Capitis
Convergent
− is a prevertebral muscle of the neck
− Broadly distributed fascicles converge
− it is involved in flexion and rotation of
at a single tendon.
the head and cervical vertebrae.
− Example: Pectoralis Major and
Pectoralis Minor. Rectus Capitis Anterior
Parallel − is a short, flat muscle, situated
immediately behind the upper part of
− Fascicles lie parallel to one another
the Longus capitis.
and to the long axis of the muscles.
− aids in flexion of the head and the neck
− 3 types: Trapezium, Rhomboidal,
Quadrate. Posterior
Pennate Longissimus Capitis

− Fascicles originate from a tendon that
runs the length of the entire muscle.
It has three different patterns:
− Unipennate: Fascicles on only one
side of the tendon.
Example: Palmar interosseus and
Semimembranosus.
− Bipennate: Fascicles on both sides of
the tendon.
Example: Rectus Femoris.
− Multipennate: Fascicles arranged at
many places around the central
tendon.
Spread out at angles to many smaller
tendons.
Example: Deltoid.
− derives from upper thoracic transverse
processes (T1 to T5) and articular
processes of C4 through C7.
− its action is to extend the head.
Oblique Capitis Superior
− Is a postural muscle that monitors the
position of the head.
− Bilaterally, they extend the head;
unilaterally, they laterally flex the the
head to the same side as the muscle.
Rectus Capitis Posterior
− Likely a postural muscle that monitors
the position of the head.
− extends the head and neck
Semispinalis Capitis Muscle of the Facial Expression
− Acting bilaterally: Extension of the The skeletal muscles of the face are
head and neck. cutaneous muscles attached to the face.
− Acting unilaterally: Rotation of head
Eyes and Eyebrows
and neck to opposite side
− It is also considered as one of the main Occipitofrontalis
factors in maintaining the balance of
− raises the eyebrows and furrows the
the head on the neck
skin of the forehead
Splenius Capitis
Orbicularis Oculi
− It is a broad strap-like muscle in the
− closes the eyelids and causes “crow’s
back of the neck.
feet” wrinkles in the skin at the lateral
− It also assists in supporting the head in
corners of the eyes
the erect position
− extends, rotates, and laterally flexes Levator Palpebrae Superioris
the neck
− raises the upper lids
Trapezius − Ptosis - a droopy eyelid on one side,
usually indicates that the nerve to the
− Is one of the major muscles of the back
levator palpebrae superioris has been
and is responsible for moving, rotating,
damaged.
and stabilizing the scapula and
extending the head at the neck. Corugator Supercilii
Lateral − draws the eyebrows inferiorly and
medially, producing furrows in the skin
Rectus Capitis Lateralis
between the eyes.
− Is a short muscle situated anterior to
Lips and Surrounding the Mouth
the vertebral column that extends
between the atlas and the base of the Orbicularis Oris / Buccinator
skull and is involved in lateral flexion of
− the kissing muscles, pucker the mouth
the neck.
Smiling is accomplished with these
Sternocleidomastoid
muscles:
− Functions in the rotation of the head to
− Zygomaticus Major and Minor
the opposite side or obliquely rotate the
head. It also flexes the neck. − Levator Anguli Oris
− Risorius
Scalene Muscles
Levator Labii Superioris
− are three paired muscles (anterior,
middle and posterior), located in the − Sneering
lateral aspect of the neck. Frowing or Pouting:
− Act as accessory muscles of
respiration, and perform flexion at the − Depressor Anguli Oris
neck. − Depressor Labii Inferioris
− Mentalis
Muscles of Mastication
Involves forcefully closing the mouth and
grinding food between the teeth
Temporalis
− one of the main muscles of
mastication, which is involved in the
elevation and retraction of the lower
jaw.
Masseter
− primarily responsible for the elevation
of the mandible and some protraction
of the mandible.
Lateral Pterygoid Muscle
− Bilateral contraction - protrudes and
depresses mandible, stabilizes
condylar head during closure
− Unilateral contraction - medial
movement (rotation) of mandible.
Medial Pterygoid Muscle
Bilateral contraction - elevates and
protrudes mandible.
Unilateral contraction - medial movement
(rotation) of mandible.
Hyoid Muscles
Suprahyoid Muscles
Digrastic Muscle
− is a small muscle located in the neck,
just below the lower jaw.
− functions in the depression of the lower
jaw and elevation of the hyoid bone.
Geniohyoid
− draws the hyoid bone up and forward
during mastication and assists the
opening of the mandible.
Mylohyoid
− elevates floor of mouth and tongue.
− depresses mandible when hyoid is
fixed.
Stylohyoid
− elevates hyoid.
Infrahyoid Muscles
1. Omohyoid,
2. Sternohyoid
3. Sternothyroid
− depresses hyoid.
− Fixes hyoid in mandibular depression.
4. Thyrohyoid
− depresses hyoid and elevates thyroid
cartilage of larynx.
− fixes hyoid in mandibular depression.
Tongue Movements
Tongue is important in mastication and
speech in several ways:
− It moves food around in the mouth.
− With the buccinators, it holds the food
in place while the teeth grind it.
− It pushes food up to the palate and
back toward the pharynx to initiate
swallowing.
− it changes shape to modify sound
during speech.
The tongue consists of mass:
Intrinsic Muscles – entirely within the
tongue.
– involved in changing the shape of the
tongue.
– named for their fiber orientation in the
tongue.
Extrinsic Muscles – outside of the tongue but
attached to it.
– help change the shape and move the
tongue.
– named for their origin and insertion.
Tongue Muscles Palatoglossus
Intrinsic Muscles − narrows fauces; elevates posterior
tongue.
• Longitudinal
• Transverse Palatopharyngeus
• Vertical
− narrows fauces; depresses palate;
Function: Change tongue shape. elevates pharynx.
Extrinsic Muscles Tensor Veli Palatini
Genioglossus − tenses soft palate; opens auditory
tube.
− depresses and protrudes tongue.
Uvulae
Hyoglossus
- retracts and depresses side of tongue. − elevates uvula.

Styloglossus Pharynx

- retracts tongue. Phargyneal Constrictors

Palatoglossus • Inferior – narrows inferior portion of

pharynx in swallowing.
- elevates posterior tongue.
• Middle – narrows pharynx in swallowing.
Muscles of Swallowing and the Larynx
• Superior – narrows superior portion of
Larynx pharynx in swallowing.
Arytenoids Salpingopharyngeus
➢ Oblique and Transverse − elevates pharynx; opens auditory tube
in swallowing.
- narrows opening to larynx.
Cricoarytenoids Stylopharyngeus

➢ Lateral – narrows opening to larynx. − elevates pharynx.

➢ Posterior – widens opening to larynx. Muscles Moving the Eyes

Cricothyroid Rectus

− lengthens (tenses) vocal cords. • Inferior – depresses the gaze.

• Lateral – laterally deviates the gaze
Thyroarytenoid and Vocalis
(looking to the side).
− shortens (relaxes) vocal cords.
• Medial – medially deviates the gaze
Soft Palate (looking toward the nose).
Levator Veli Palatini • Superior – elevates and medially
deviates gaze (looking up).
− elevates soft palate.
Oblique Intransversarii – laterally flexes vertebral
column.
• Inferior – elevates and laterally
deviates gaze. Multifidus – extends and rotates vertebral
column.
• Superior – depresses and laterally
deviates gaze. Psoas Minor – flexes vertebral column.
Trunk Muscles Rotatores – extends and rotates vertebral
column.
Muscles Moving the Vertebral Column
Thoracic Muscles
Deep Group – extend from vertebra to
vertebra. Scalenus
Superficial Group – extend from vertebra to – elevate the first two ribs during more
ribs. forceful inspiration.
Erector spinae – group of muscles on each ➢ Anterior and Medial – elevates first
side of the back consists of three subgroups: rib.
1. Iliocostalis ➢ Posterior – elevates second rib.
2. Longissimus – most of the muscles on
Intercostals
the lower back
3. Spinalis ➢ External – quiet inspiration; elevates
ribs.
Superficial
➢ Internal – forced expiration; depresses
Erector spinae
ribs.
Iliocostalis – extends vertebral column.
Diaphragm
Cervicis, Thoracis, Lumborum - extends,
– dome-shaped muscle; causes the
laterally flexes, and rotates vertebral column.
major movement produced during
Longissimus quiet breathing.
– Inspiration: contracts, chest expands,
Capitis – extends head.
air flows in
Cervicis – extends neck. – Expiration: relaxes, chest contracts,
air flows out
Thoracis – extends vertebral column.
Serratus Posterior
Spinalis and Semispinalis
➢ Inferior – depresses inferior ribs and
Cervicis – extends neck.
extends vertebral column.
Thoracis – extends vertebral column.
➢ Superior – elevates superior ribs.
Splenius Cervicis – rotates and extends
Transversus thoracis
neck.
– decreases diameter of thorax.
Longus colli – flexes neck.
Deep
Interspinales – extends back and neck.
Abdominal Wall Upper Limb Muscles
Anterior Pectoral Region
Rectus Abdominis Located on the anterior chest wall. Contains
four muscles that exert a force on the upper
– flexes abdominal column; compresses
limb.
abdomen.
Pectoralis Major
Internal and External abdominal oblique
– Most superficial muscle in the pectoral
– flexes and rotates vertebral column;
region. It is large and fan shaped.
compresses abdomen; depresses
– Action: Flexes shoulder, extends
thorax.
shoulder from flexed position.
Transversus Abdominis
Pectoralis Minor
– compresses abdomen.
– lies underneath pectoralis major. Both
Posterior of these muscles form part of the
anterior wall of the axilla region.
Quadratus Lumborum – Action: Depresses scapula or elevates
– laterally flexes vertebral column and ribs.
depresses twelfth rib. Serratus Anterior
Pelvic Floor and Perineum – located more laterally in the chest wall,
Bulbospongiosus and forms the medial border of the
axilla region.
➢ Male – constricts urethra; erects penis. – Origin: Ribs 1-9
➢ Female – erects clitoris. – Insertion: Medial border of scapula.
– Action: Rotates and protracts
Coccygeus – elevates and supports pelvic scapulae; Elevates Ribs.
floor.
Shoulder Region
Ischiocavernosus – compresses base of
penis or clitoris. Extrinsic

External anal sphincter – keeps orifice of – originate from the torso, and attach to
anal canal closed. the bones of the shoulder (clavicle,
scapula or humerus).
External urethra sphincter – constricts – The muscles are organized into two
urethra layers: superficial layer and deep
Transverse Perinei layer.

➢ Deep – supports pelvic floor Trapezius

➢ Superficial – fixes central tendon – a broad, flat and triangular muscle.

The muscles on each side form a
trapezoid shape. It is the most
superficial of all the back muscles.
 – Actions: Elevates, depresses, retracts,
rotates and fixes scapula. Extends
head and neck
Latissimus Dorsi
– originates from the lower part of the
back, where it covers a wide area.
– Actions: Extends shoulder, adducts
and medially rotates arm.
Levator scapulae
– is a small strap-like muscle. It begins
in the neck, and descends to attach to
the scapula.
– Actions: Elevates, retracts and rotates
scapula. Laterally flexes neck.
Rhomboid Major
– Actions: Retracts, rotates and fixes
scapula.
Rhomboid Minor
– Actions: Retracts, slightly elevates,
rotates and fixes scapula.
Intrinsic
– originate from the scapula and/or
clavicle, and attached to the humerus.
– There are six muscles in this group: the
deltoid, teres major, and the four
rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus,
infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres
minor).
Deltoid
– The deltoid muscle is shaped like the
Greek letter delta – Δ. Originates from
clavicle, acromion process and
scapular spine. Attached in the deltoid
tuberosity
– Actions: Flexes and extends shoulder,
abducts medially and laterally rotates
arm
Teres Major
– The teres major forms the inferior
border of the quadrangular space.
Originates from the lateral border of
scapula. Attached in the medial crest of
intertubercular groove.
– Actions: Extends shoulder, Adducts
and medially rotates the arm.
Rotator Cuff Muscles
– The rotator cuff muscles are a group of
four muscles that originate from the
scapula and attach to the humeral
head.
Supraspinatus
– Originates from the supraspinous
fossa of scapula, attaches to the
greater tubercle of the humerus.
– Actions: Stabilizes shoulder and
abducts arm.
Infraspinatus
– Originates from the infraspinous fossa
of scapula, attaches to the greater
tubercle of the humerus.
– Actions: Stabilizes and extends
shoulder and Laterally rotates the arm.
Subscapularis
– Originates from the subscapular fossa
of scapula. It attaches to the lesser
tubercle of the humerus.
– Actions: Stabilizes and extends
shoulder and Medially rotates the arm.
Teres Minor
– Originates from the lateral border of
scapula. It attaches to the greater
tubercle of the humerus.
– Actions: Stabilizes and extends
shoulder; adducts and Laterally rotates
the arm.
Upper Arm
– Located between the shoulder joint
and elbow joint. It contains four
muscles – three in the anterior
compartment (biceps brachii,
brachialis, coracobrachialis), and one
in the posterior compartment (triceps
brachii).
Muscles that Move the Arm
(Arm Movement)

Hand
Extrinsic muscles
– located in the anterior and posterior
compartments of the forearm. They
control crude movements and produce
a forceful grip.
Intrinsic muscles
– located within the hand itself. They are
responsible for the fine motor
functions of the hand.
Lower Limb
Thigh Movements
Tensor Fasciae Latae
− tenses a thick band of fascia on the
lateral side of the thigh (iliotibial tract).
 − action: steadies femur on tibia brevis and magnus. The muscle forms
(standing), flexes hip, medially rotates the medial border of the femoral
and abducts thigh. triangle.
− origin: anterior superior illiac spine. − Actions: Adducts and laterally rotates
− insertion: through lateral fascia of the thigh; flexes hip.
thigh to lateral condyle of tibia.
Gracilis
Iliopsoas
− is the most superficial and medial of
− Is actually two muscles, the psoas the muscles in this compartment. It
major and the iliacus. They originate in crosses at both the hip and knee
different areas, but come together to joints. It is sometimes transplanted
form a tendon, hence why they are into the hand or forearm to replace a
commonly referred to as one muscle. damaged muscle.
− Actions: Flexes hip − Actions: Adducts Thigh and flexes
knee.
Gluteal Muscles
Anterior Compartment
Gluteus Maximus Quadriceps Femoris Group
− action: extends hip, abducts and
laterally rotates thigh.
− origin: posterior surface of ilium,
sacrum and coccyx.
− insertion: gluteal tuberosity of
femur and illiotibial tract.
Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Minimus
− action: abducts and medially rotates
thigh
− origin: posterior surface of ilium.
− insertion: greater trochanter of femur.
Muscles that Move the Legs
(Leg Movement)
Medial Compartment Posterior Compartment
Adductor Magnus Hamstring Muscles

− Originates from the inferior rami of the

pubis and the rami of ischium,
attaching to the linea aspera of the
femur.
− Actions: Adducts and laterally rotates
thigh; extends knee.
Adductor Longus
− The adductor longus is a large, flat
muscle. It partially covers the adductor
Muscles of the Leg, Acting on the Leg,
Ankle, and Foot
Anterior Compartment of the Leg
Tibialis Anterior
− The tibialis anterior muscle is located
alongside the lateral surface of the
tibia.
− It is the strongest dorsiflexor of the
foot.
− Actions: Dorsiflexes and inverts foot.
Extensor Digitorum Longus
− The extensor digitorum longus lies
lateral and deep to the tibialis anterior.
The tendons of the EDL can be
palpated on the dorsal surface of the
foot.
− Actions: Extension four lateral toes;
dorsiflexes and everts foot.
Extensor Hallucis Longus
− The extensor hallucis longus is
located deep to the EDL and TA.
− Action: Extends great toe; dorsiflexes
and inverts foot.
Lateral Compartment of the Leg
Fibularis Longus
− The fibularis longus originates from
the superior and lateral surface of the
fibula and the lateral tibial condyle.
− Actions: Everts and plantarflexes foot.
Fibularis Brevis
− Originates from the fibula. The muscle
belly forms a tendon, which descends
with the fibularis longus into the foot.
− Actions: Everts and plantarflexes foot.
Posterior Compartment of the Leg
Two layers – superficial and deep.
Superficial Muscles
Gastrocnemius
− originates from the medial and lateral
condyles of femur.
− Actions: It plantar flexes at the ankle
joint, and because it crosses the knee,
it is a flexor there.
Deep Muscles
Flexor Digitorum Longus
− The FDL is (surprisingly) a smaller
muscle than the flexor hallucis longus.
It is located medially in the posterior
leg.
− Actions: Flexes four lateral toes.
Plantar flexes and inverts foot.
Tibialis Posterior
− The tibialis posterior is the deepest
out of the four muscles. It lies between
the flexor digitorum longus and the
flexor hallucis longus.
− Actions: Plantar flexes and inverts
foot.
Ankle and Toe movements
The thirteen muscle in the leg, with tendons
extending into the foot, can be divided into 3
groups: anterior, posterior and lateral.
Gastrocnemius & Soleus
- Form the bulge of the calf
Calcaneal tendon (heel)
- joined by gastrocnemius and soleus
These muscles are flexors and are involved
in plantar flex and invert the foot and flex
toes.
Fibularis muscle
− Lateral muscles of the leg.
− Primary everters of the foot.
− Also aid in plantar flexion.
Intrinsic foot muscles
− 20 muscles located within the foot.
− Flex, extend, abduct and adduct the
toes.
− Arranged in a similar manner to
insintric of the hand.