Human Anatomy & Physiology I – Dr.

Sullivan
Unit XII - Principal Skeletal Muscles: Chapter 10
I. The Skeletal Muscle System
a) For the most part, Skeletal muscles function to produce movement of the skeleton at the joints.
b) Muscles attach to bones via tendons at two or more different places in order to move the bones
i) Tendons: bands of dense-regular CT that attach muscles to bones.
ii) Origin (O): The site of muscle attachment on the more stationary bone (anchor)
iii) Insertion (I): the site of muscle attachment on the more moveable bone
iv) Action (A): the main movement that occurs when the muscle contracts
v) Innervation (N): the nerve that brings the nerve impulse to that muscle
vi) Muscle Belly: the fleshy part of the muscle between the two tendons.
c) When a muscle contracts, it pulls on the insertion point, causing that bone to move at the joint that
muscle crosses.
d) Your textbook no longer uses the terms “origin” and “insertion” because these terms have been
removed Gray’s Anatomy and replaced with “skeletal attachments.” On the exam and homework
assignments you will not be asked to name which skeletal attachments are origins and which are
insertions, but you will need to know the skeletal attachments in general and the actions of the
muscles.

II. Principal Muscles of the Human Body

a) Head
i) Masseter
(1) O: Maxilla and zygomatic arch
(2) I: angle and ramus of mandible
(3) A: elevate the mandible (close mouth), retract the mandible
(4) N: trigeminal nerve (CN V)
(5) important muscle for chewing & talking
ii) Temporalis
(1) O: Temporal bone
(2) I: Coronoid process and ramus of mandible
(3) A: elevate and retract mandible
(4) N: trigeminal nerve (CN V)
(5) also for chewing and talking
iii) Lateral Pterygoid
(1) O: sphenoid bone
(2) I: Mandibular condyle
(3) A: protracts & laterally deviates mandible
(4) N: trigeminal nerve (CN V)

b) Neck
i) Sternocleidomastoid
(1) O: sternum & clavicle
(2) I: mastoid process of temporal bone
(3) A: anterior flexion of neck, extension of head, laterally flex head side to side
(4) N: accessory nerve (CN XI)
ii) Platysma
(1) O: fascia of deltoid & pectoralis major muscle
(2) I: mandible, lower skin of face, muscles at corners of mouth
(3) A: depress mandible (open mouth), tenses skin of neck
(4) N: Facial nerve (CN VII)

c) Abdomen
i) Rectus Abdominis
 (1) O: pubic crest and pubic symphysis
(2) I: 5th to 7th costal cartilage and xiphoid process
(3) A: flex lumbar spine anteriorly
(4) N: intercostal nerves 7-12
(5) Linea Alba: the tendonous attachment vertically down the midline of the rectus
abdominous
(6) Tendinous Intersections: the tendonous connections horizontally between the bellies of
the rectus abdominus muscle
ii) External Abdominal Oblique
(1) O: 5th to 12th ribs
(2) I: Iliac crest
(3) A: together: flex lumbar spine anteriorly (trunk flexion)
(a) alone: ipsilateral lateral flexion of lumbar spine
(4) N: intercostals 8-12, iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal
iii) Internal Abdominal Oblique
(1) O: inguinal ligament, iliac crest, thoracolumbar fascia
(2) I: xyphoid process, linea alba, pubis, ribs 10-12
(3) A: compression of abdominal viscera, flexion of trunk, rotation of trunk
(4) N: intercostals 8-12, iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal
iv) Transversus Abdominis
(1) O: inguinal ligament, iliac crest, costal cartilage of 7-12
(2) I: xyphoid process, linea alba, pubis, inguinal ligament
(3) A: compression of abdominal viscera, does not move trunk
(4) N: intercostals 8-12, iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal
v) Diaphragm
(1) O: Xyphoid process, lumbar vertebrae, costal cartilage of inferior 6 ribs
(2) I: Central tendon
(3) A: increases volume of the thoracic cavity to allow air to enter the lungs
(4) N: Phrenic nerve of the cervical plexus

d) Chest
i) Pectoralis Major
(1) O: Clavicle, sternum, ribs
(2) I: greater tubercle of humerus, intertubercular sulcus
(3) A: Adducts and medially rotates the humerus
(4) N: medial & lateral pectoral nerves
ii) Pectoralis Minor
(1) O: 2nd through 5th ribs
(2) I: Coracoid process of scapula
(3) A: Abducts scapula, rotates scapula downward
(4) N: medial & lateral pectoral nerves
iii) Intercostal Muscles (internal & external)
(1) O: Inferior & superior borders of ribs
(2) I: Inferior & superior borders of adjacent ribs
(3) A: increase and decrease the dimension of the thoracic cavity
(4) N: adjacent intercostal nerves

e) Back
i) Trapezius
(1) O: Superior nuchal line of occipital bone
(2) I: Spinous processes of C7 and all thoracic vertebrae
(3) A: elevate scapula, extend head, depress scapula, rotate scapula upward
(4) N: accessory nerve (CN XI), C3-C4 dorsal rami
ii) Levator Scapulae
(1) O: C1-5 vertebrae
(2) I: superior portion of the medial border of the scapula
 (3) A: elevate scapula and rotate scapula downward
(4) N: Dorsal scapular nerve, c3-C4 dorsal rami
iii) Rhomboid Major
(1) O: T2-5 vertebrae
(2) I: inferior portion of the medial border of the scapula
(3) A: elevate & adduct (retract) scapula
(4) N: dorsal scapular nerve
iv) Rhomboid Minor
(1) O: C7 and T1 vertebrae
(2) I: Superior portion of the medial border of the scapula
(3) A: elevate and adduct scapula
(4) N: dorsal scapular nerve
v) Latissimus Dorsi
(1) O: T7-T12, all Lumbar vertebrae, sacrum, ribs 9-12, iliac crests
(2) I: Intertubercular sulcus of humerus
(3) A: extends, adducts, and medially rotates the humerus
(4) N: thoracodorsal nerve

f) Shoulder
i) Rotator cuff muscles (4): originate at the scapula and insert on the greater or lesser tubercle
of the humerus to stabilize and move the gleno-humeral joint
(1) Subscapularis
(a) O: Subscapular fossa of scapula
(b) I: Lesser tubercle of humerus
(c) A: Medial rotation of the humerus
(d) N: subscapular nerve
(2) Supraspinatus
(a) O: Supraspinous fossa of the scapula
(b) I: Greater tubercle of the humerus
(c) A: 1st 30 degrees of abduction of the humerus
(d) N: suprascapular nerve
(3) Infraspinatus
(a) O: Infraspinous fossa of the scapula
(b) I: Greater Tubercle of the humerus
(c) A: Lateral rotation of the humerus
(d) N: suprascapular nerve
(4) Teres Minor
(a) O: Inferior angle of the scapula
(b) I: Greater tubercle of the humerus
(c) A: Extension, adduction, & lateral rotation of the humerus
(d) N: axillary nerve
ii) Deltoid: anterior, middle, and posterior portions
(1) O: Acromion, clavicle, spine of scapula
(2) I: deltoid tuberosity of humerus
(3) A: anterior: flex humerus; middle: abduct humerus; posterior: extend humerus
(4) N: axillary nerve

g) Upper Limb
(1) Biceps Brachii (two heads)
(a) O (long head): supraglenoid tubercle on the scapula, coracoid process of scapula
(b) I: radial tuberosity
(c) A: flexion of elbow, supination of forearm, forward flexion of shoulder
(d) N: Musculocutaneous nerve
(2) Brachialis
(a) O: distal anterior humerus
(b) I: ulnar tuberosity
 (c) A: elbow flexion
(d) N: Musculocutaneous nerve, radial nerve
(3) Brachioradialis
(a) O: distal lateral humerus
(b) I: styloid process of radius
(c) A: elbow flexion
(d) N: radial nerve
(4) Triceps Brachii (3 heads)
(a) O: infraglenoid tubercle, lateral posterior humerus, entire posterior surface of humerus
(b) I: Olecranon process of ulna
(c) A: elbow extension and some shoulder extension
(d) N: radial nerve

ii) Forearm Muscles

(1) Anterior forearm muscles will collectively be known as:
(a) Forearm Flexors
(b) O: medial epicondyle of humerus
(c) I: palmar surface of carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges
(d) A: flexion of wrist, MCPs, & IPs
(e) N: median and ulnar nerve
(2) Posterior muscles of forearm will be collectively known as:
(a) Forearm Extensors
(b) O: lateral epicondyle of humerus
(c) I: dorsum of carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges
(d) A: extenstion of wrist, MCPs, and IPs
(e) N: radial nerve
(3) Pronator Teres
(a) O: medial epicondyle of humerus, coronoid process of ulna
(b) I: Midlateral surface of radius
(c) A: pronates forearm at radioulnar joints
(d) N: median nerve
(4) Pronator Quadratus
(a) O: distal shaft of ulna
(b) I: distal shaft of radius
(c) A: pronates forearm at radioulnar joints
(d) N: median nerve
(5) Supinator
(a) O: lateral epicondyle of humerus
(b) I: lateral surface of proximal radius
(c) A: supinates forearem
(d) N: radial nerve

h) Hip Girdle Muscles

i) Iliopsoas: the union of the Psoas Major muscle and the Iliacus muscle.
(1) Psoas Major
(a) O: anterior surfaces of lumbar vertebrae
(b) I: Lesser trochanter of femur
(c) A: flexion & external rotation at the hip joint
(d) N: lumbar plexus
(2) Iliacus
(a) O: iliac fossa
(b) I: lesser trochanter of femur
(c) A: flexes hip, externally rotates femur
(d) N: femoral nerve
ii) Gluteus Maximus
(1) O: Iliac crest, sacrum, coccyx
 (2) I: Linea aspera of lateral femur, iliotibial band
(3) A: extend and externally rotate at hip
(4) N: inferior gluteal nerve
iii) Gluteus Medius and Minimus
(1) O: Ilium
(2) I: Greater trochanter
(3) A: Abduction & medial rotation at hip joint
(4) N: superior gluteal nerve
iv) Tensor Fascia Latae
(1) O: Iliac crest
(2) I: Lateral tibia via the I-T Band
(a) Iliotibial Band: a long, flat tendon running from the tensor fascial latae muscle (just
below the level of the greater trochanter) to the lateral condyle of the tibia.
(3) A: Flex & abduct thigh at hip joint
(4) N: superior gluteal nerve
v) Piriformis
(1) O: anterior sacrum
(2) I: greater trochanter of femur
(3) A: abduct and externally rotate femur

i) Lower Limb
i) Anterior Thigh
(1) Quadriceps Femoris: 4 muscles with separate origins, but a common insertion and
action
(a) I: Patella at quadriceps tendon and tibial tuberosity at patellar ligament
(b) A: Extend the lower leg at the knee
(c) N: femoral nerve
(d) Rectus Femoris
(i) O: anterior inferior iliac spine
(e) Vastus Lateralis
(i) O: greater trochanter and linea aspera of femur
(f) Vastus Medialis
(i) O: Linea aspera of femur
(g) Vastus Intermedius
(i) O: anterior and lateral shaft of femur
(2) Sartorius: longest muscle in the body; starts laterally and crosses the midline of femur
(a) O: Anterior superior iliac spine
(b) I: medial surface of tibial shaft
(c) A: flexes knee; flex, abduct, and externally rotate hip
(d) N: femoral nerve
ii) Posterior Thigh
(1) Hamstrings: three muscles sharing a common origin and action with separate insertions
(a) O: Ischial tuberosity, posterior shaft of femur
(b) A: Flexes leg at the knee, extends thigh at the hip
(c) N: tibial nerve
(i) Biceps Femoris
1. I: head of fibula
2. N: also innervated by common peroneal nerve
(ii) Semitendinosus
1. I: proximal, medial tibial shaft
(iii) Semimembranosus
1. I: medial condyle of tibia
(2) Popliteus
(a) O: lateral condyle of femur
(b) I: posterior proximal tibia
(c) A: unlocks knee, allows flexion of knee, medially rotates tibia
 (d) N: tibial nerve

j) The Lower Leg: divided into four compartments of muscles

i) Anterior Compartment Muscles (4):
(1) O: Lateral condyle of tibia; anterior surface of fibula
(2) I: tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges
(3) A: dorsiflex the ankle, extend the toes, invert/evert the foot
(4) N: deep peroneal nerve
ii) Lateral Compartment muscles (2):
(1) O: Head & body of fibula; lateral condyle of tibia
(2) I: 1st & 5th metatarsal, 1st cuneiform
(3) A: Plantar flex the foot; evert the foot
(4) N: superficial peroneal nerve
iii) Superficial Posterior Compartment (calf muscles): three muscles with separate origins
that share a common insertion and action
(1) I: Calcaneous via the Achilles’ Tendon (calcaneal tendon)
(2) A: plantar flex the foot, flex leg at knee
(3) N: tibial nerve
(4) Gastrocnemius
(a) O: lateral and medial condyles of femur
(5) Soleus
(a) O: head of fibula and medial tibia
(6) Plantaris
(a) O: Superior to lateral condyle of femur
iv) Deep Posterior Compartment (4)
(1) O: distal femur; tibia & fibula
(2) I: tarsals, metatarsals, & phalanges
(3) A: plantar flex the foot, invert the foot, flex the toes
(4) N: tibial nerve