MUSCLE ORIGIN/INSERTION/ACTION/INNERVATION CHART

Muscles of Upper Extremity

Muscle Name

Origin

Pectoralis Major

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Medial third of
Lateral lip of
clavicle, front of
intertubercular
sternum, costal
groove
cartilages of ribs 5-7

Adducts, flexes,
medially
rotates arm

Medial and lateral

pectoral

Pectoralis Minor

Ribs 3-5

Coracoid process of
scapula

Protract, depress,
medially rotate
scapula

Medial pectoral

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 (medial)
border of scapula

Protract and rotate

the scapula

Long thoracic

Trapezius

Occipital bone,
spines of
C7 and T1-12, and
ligamentum nuchae

Lateral 1/3 of
clavicle, acromion,
and spine of scapula

Cranial nerve XI
(spinal accessory
nerve)

Rhomboid Major

Spines of T2-5

Vertebral (medial)

Retract and rotate

scapula, tilt head
back, upper portions
elevate scapula,
lower portion can
depress scapula
Retract and rotate

Dorsal scapular

border of
scapula between
spine and inf. angle
Vertebral border of
spine of
scapula
Vertebral border of
scapula above spine

the scapula

Rhomboid Minor

Ligamentum nuchae,
spines of C7 and T1

Levator Scapulae

Transverse
Processes of C1-4

Latissimus Dorsi

Thoracolumbar
fascia, iliac crest,
spines of T7-T12,
and lower 3 ribs

Intertubercular
groove of
humerus

Extend, medially
rotate, and adduct
arm at shoulder

Thoracodorsal

Deltoid

Lateral 1/3 clavicle,

acromion, and spine
of scapula

Deltoid tuberosity of
humerus

Abduct arm; anterior

fibers flex the arm,
posterior fibers
extend the arm

Axillary

Muscle Name

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Teres Major

Inferior angle of
scapula

Lesser tubercle of
humerus

Medially rotates and

adducts arm at
shoulder

Lower subscapular

Teres Minor

Lateral border of
scapula

Greater tubercle of
humerus

Lateral rotation of
arm at shoulder

Axillary

Retract and rotate

the scapula

Dorsal scapular

Elevate and rotate of 3rd and 4th cervical

scapula
spinal nerves and
dorsal scapular

Subscapularis

Subscapular fossa of
scapula

Lesser tubercle of
humerus

Medially rotate and

adduct arm at
shoulder

Upper subscapular

Supraspinatus

Supraspinatus fossa
of
scapula

Greater tubercle of
humerus

Abduct arm at
shoulder

Suprascapular

Infraspinatus

Infraspinatus fossa
of
scapula

Greater tubercle of
humerus

Lateral rotation of
arm at shoulder

Suprascapular

Long Head of Biceps

Supraglenoid
tubercle of scapula

Tuberosity of radius
and to ulna by the
bicipital aponeurosis

Flex forearm at
elbow, supinate
forearm, and
flex arm at shoulder

Musculocutaneous

Short head of biceps

Coracoid process of
scapula

Tuberosity of radius
and to ulna by the
bicipital aponeurosis

Flex forearm at
elbow, supinate
forearm, and
flex arm at shoulder

Musculocutaneous

Coracobrachialis

Humerus

Flex arm at shoulder

Musculocutaneous

Brachialis

Coracoid process of
scapula
Humerus

Coronoid process of
ulna and
ulnar tuberosity

Flex forearm at
elbow

Musculocutaneous

Lateral Head of

Humerus

Olecranon of ulna

Extend forearm at

Radial

Triceps

elbow

Long Head of Triceps Infraglenoid

tubercle of
scapula

Olecranon of ulna

Extend forearm at
elbow

Radial

Medial Head of
Triceps

Humerus

Olecranon of ulna

Extend forearm at
elbow

Radial

Brachioradialis

Lateral
supracondylar line of
humerus
Lateral epicondyle of
humerus

Distal radius

Flexes forearm at
elbow

Radial

Olecranon of ulna

Extend forearm at
elbow

Radial

Anconeus

Muscles of the Wrist and Hand

Muscle Name

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Extensor Carpi
Radialis Longus and
Brevis

Lateral
supracondylar ridge
(longus) and lateral
epicondyle (brevis)
of humerus
Lateral epicondyle of
humerus

Base of 2nd
metacarpal (long);
base of 2nd and 3rd
metacarpals (brevis)

Extend and abduct

hand at wrist

Radial

Middle and distal

phalanges of fingers
2-5 via extensor
expansion

Extends digits 2-5 at

all joints

Radial

Extensor Digitorum

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
membrane
Radius and
interosseous
membrane
Ulna and
interosseous
membrane
Posterior ulna and
interosseous
membrane
Lateral epicondyle of
humerus and ulna

Base of 1st
metacarpal

Abduct and extend

first digit (thumb) at
CMC joint
Extend thumb at
CMC and MCP joints

Posterior
interosseous

Extends thumb at
CMC, MCP and IP
joints
Extends index finger
at all joints

Posterior
interosseous

Wraps around lateral

surface of radius

Supinates forearm

Radial

Pronator Teres

Medial supracondylar
ridge of humerus and
coronoid process of
ulna

Lateral surface of
radius

Pronate forearm

Median

Flexor Carpi Radialis

Medial epicondyle of
humerus

2nd and 3rd

metacarpals

Flex and abduct hand

at wrist

Median

Extensor Pollicis
Brevis
Extensor Pollicis
Longus
Extensor Indicis

Supinator

Proximal phalanx of
thumb
Distal phalanx of
thumb
Extensor expansion
of 2nd digit

Posterior
interosseous

Radial

Palmaris Longus

Medial epicondyle of
humerus

Palmar aponeurosis

Median

Pisiform, hamate, 5th

metacarpal

Flex hand at wrist,

tenses palmar
aponeurosis
Flex and adduct hand
at wrist

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

Medial epicondyle of
humerus, olecranon
and posterior ulna
Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Flexor Digitorum
Superficialis

Medial epicondyle of
humerus, ulna and
radius

Middle phalanges of
digits 2-5

Flexes all joints from

wrist to middle
phalanges of digits
2-5

Median

Flexor Pollicis Longus

Radius and
interosseous
membrane

Distal phalanx of
thumb

Flex all 3 joints of

thumb

Median

Flexor Digitorum
Profundus

Ulna and
interosseous
membrane

Distal phalanges of
digits 2-5

Flex hand at wrist,

flex all joints digits
2-5

Median to radial side

of muscle; ulnar to
ulnar side of muscle

Pronator Quadratus

Distal ulna

Distal radius

Pronates forearm

Median

Abductor Pollicis
Brevis

Scaphoid, trapezium
and flexor
retinaculum
Trapezium
(superficial);
Trapezoid, capitate

Proximal phalanx of
thumb

Abduct thumb

Median

Radial side of
proximal phalanx
(superficial and

Flex thumb at CMC

and MCP joints

Median; deep head

by ulnar nerve

Muscle Name

Flexor Pollicis Brevis

Ulnar

(deep)

deep)

Opponens Pollicis

Trapezium, flexor
retinaculum

1st metacarpal

Rotate thumb into

opposition with digit
5

Median

Adductor Pollicis

Capitate, 2nd and

3rd
metacarpals
(oblique), 3rd
metacarpal
(transverse)
Pisiform

Proximal phalanx of
thumb (oblique and
transverse)

Adduct thumb

Ulnar

Abduct digit 5

Ulnar

Hook of hamate,
flexor retinaculum

Proximal phalanx of
digit 5
Proximal phalanx of
digit 5

Flex digit 5 at MCP

Ulnar

Opponens Digiti
Minimi

Flexor retinaculum

5th metacarpal

Rotate digit 5 into

opposition with
thumb

Ulnar

Lumbricals of the
hand

Tendons of flexor
digitorum profundus

extensor expansion
of digits 2-5

Flex digits 2-5 at

MCP joints, extend
digits 2-5 at IP
joints

Lateral two, median;

medial two, ulnar

Dorsal interossei of
hand (4)

Adjacents sides of
two metacarpals

Extensor expansion
of digits 2-4

Abduct digits 2-4;

assist lumbrical
actions

Ulnar

Abductor Digiti
Minimi
Flexor Digiti Minimi
Brevis

Palmar interossei (3)

2nd, 4th and 5th

metacarpals

Extensor expansion
of digits 2, 4, 5

Adduct digits 2,4,

and 5; assist
lumbrical actions

Ulnar

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 forced
expiration

Intercostal nerves

Transversus Thoracis Inner surface of

body;
xiphoid process

Costal cartilages of
ribs 2-6

Draw ribs downward

Intercostal nerves

Quadratus Lumborum Iliac crest

12th rib, transverse

process of
lumbar vertebrae

Lateral flexion of
spinal column at
lumbar vertebrae

Branches of ventral
rami of L1-4

Psoas Major

Lesser trochanter of
femur

Flexes thigh at hip

Branches of ventral
rami
of lumbar nerves L1L3

Upper 4 lumbar
transverse
processes; last
thoracic; upper 4
lumbar discs

Psoas Minor

Bodies of T12 and L1

Iliopsoas fascia and

pectinal line of pubis

Iliacus

Iliac fossa

Rectus Abdominis

Pubic crest, pubic

symphysis

External Oblique

Lower 8 ribs (5-12)

Internal Oblique

Lumbar fascia, iliac

crest and lateral half
of inguinal
ligament

Transverse
Abdominus

Internal surface of
costal cartilage of
ribs 7-12; lumbar
fascia, iliac crest,
lateral 1/3 of inguinal
ligament

Lesser trochanter of Flexor thigh at hip

femur
Costal cartilages 5-7; Flex vertebral
xiphoid process
column and
compress abdomen;
stabilizes pelvis
Anterior iliac crest,
Compress abdomen;
linea alba, pubic
both sides flex
tubercle
vertebral column, one
side (unilateral
contraction) rotates
vertebral column to
opposite side
Ribs 10-12, linea
Compress abdomen;
alba, pectineal line
both sides flex
(via conjoint tendon) vertebral column,
unilateral contraction
rotates vertebral
column to same side
Linea alba, pubic
Compress abdomen
crest, pectineal line
(via conjoint tendon)

Flexes thigh at hip

Ventral ramus of L1,

L2
Femoral nerve
T7-T11 intercostal
and subcostal (12th
thoracic)
T7-T11 intercostal
and subcostal

T7-T11 intercostal,
subcostal
iliohypogastic and
ilioinguinal

T7-T11 intercostal,
subcostal
iliohypogastic and
ilioinguinal

Muscles of the Thigh

Muscle Name

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Rectus Femoris
(Part of Quadriceps
Femoris)

Anterior inferior
iliac spine

Patella and tibial

tuberosity
through patellar
ligament

Extend leg at knee

and flex thigh at hip

Femoral

Vastus Lateralis
(Part of Quadriceps
Femoris)

Greater trochanter
of femur, lateral lip
of linea aspera

Patella and tibial

tuberosity
through patellar
ligament

Extend leg at knee

Femoral

Vastus Medialis
(Part of Quadriceps
Femoris)

Intertrochanteric
line; medial lip of
linea aspera

Patella and tibial

tuberosity
through patellar
ligament

Extend leg at knee

Femoral

Vastus Intermedius
(Part of Quadriceps
Femoris)

Shaft of femur

Patella and tibial

tuberosity
through patellar
ligament

Extend leg at knee

Femoral

Sartorius

Anterior superior
iliac spine

Medial surface of
tibia

Laterally rotate and

flex thigh at hip,
flex leg at knee

Femoral

Pectineus

Pectineal line of

Pectineal line of

Flex, adduct thigh at

Femoral

10

pubis

femur

hip

Adductor Longus

Body of pubis

Medial lip of linea

aspera

Flex, adduct thigh at

hip

Obturator

Adductor Brevis

Body and inferior

ramus
of pubis

Pecitineal line of
femur and proximal
linea aspera

Flex, adduct thigh at

hip

Obturator

Adductor Magnus*

Inferior ramus of
pubis, ramus of
ischium and
ischial tuberosity

Gluteal tuberosity,
linea aspera and
adductor tubercle

Upper: Adduct, flex

thigh at hip
Lower: Adduct,
extend thigh at hip

Upper: Obturator
Lower: Tibial sciatic

Gracilis

Body of pubis

Medial surface of
tibia

Adduct thigh at hip,

flexes leg at knee

Obturator

Gluteus Maximus

Ilium and sacrum

Iliotibial tract and

gluteal
tuberosity of femur

Extend and laterally

rotate thigh at hip

Inferior gluteal

Gluteus Medius and

Gluteus Minimus*

Ilium

Greater trochanter
of femur

Abduct thigh at hip;

Anterior: Flex and
medially rotate thigh
Posterior: Extend
and laterally rotate
thigh

Superior gluteal

Muscle Name

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

11

Tensor Fasciae Latae

Iliac crest and

anterior superior
iliac spine

Iliotibial tract (to

lateral condyle of
tibia)

Flex, abduct thigh at

hip

Superior gluteal

Piriformis
Superior Gemellus
Inferior Gemellus
Obturator Internus
Quadratus Femoris
Obturator Externus

Pelvis

Greater trochanter
and posterior part of
femur

Lateral rotators of
thigh at hip

Nerve to muscle
name

Biceps Femoris

Long head: ischial

tuberosity
Short head: linea
aspera

Fibular head

Flex leg at knee,

extend thigh at hip

Long head: Tibial

sciatic
Short head: Common
peroneal sciatic

Semimembranosus

Ischial tuberosity
Ischial tuberosity

Flex leg at knee,

extend thigh at hip
Flex leg at knee,
extend thigh at hip

Tibial sciatic

Semitendinosus

Medial condyle of
tibia
Medial surface of
tibia

12

Tibial sciatic

Muscles of the Leg

Muscle Name

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Tibialis Anterior

Lateral condyle and

surface of tibia

Medial cuneiform and

1st
metatarsal

Dorsiflex and invert

foot

Deep peroneal

Extensor Digitorum
Longus

Lateral condyle of
tibia
and surface of fibula

Middle and distal

phalanges of toes 25

Dorsiflex and evert

foot, extend toes 25

Deep peroneal

Extensor Hallucis
Longus

Anterior surface of
fibula and
interosseous
membrane
Anterior surface of
fibula and tendon of
EDL
Head and lateral
surface of fibula

Distal phalanx of
great toe

Dorsiflex and invert

foot, extend great
toe

Deep peroneal

Base of 5th
metatarsal

Dorsiflex and evert

foot

Deep peroneal

1st metatarsal and

medial
cuneiform

Plantarflex and evert

foot

Superficial peroneal

Lateral surface of
fibula
Medial and lateral
condyles and
posterior surface of
femur

Tuberosity of 5th
metatarsal
Unites with tendon
of soleus and forms
the calcaneal tendon
(Achilles tendon) to

Plantarflex and evert

foot
Plantar flex foot
(powerful) and flex
leg at knee

Superficial peroneal

Peroneus Tertius
(Lower fibers of ext.
dig. longus)
Peroneus Longus

Peroneus Brevis
Gastrocnemius

13

Tibial

Soleus

Plantaris

Popliteus

Flexor Digitorum
Longus
Flexor Hallucis
Longus

Tibialis Posterior

Head and posterior

surface of fibula and
soleal line of tibia
Posterior surface of
femur

posterior surface of
calcaneus
Posterior surface of
calcaneus via
calcaneal tendon
Joins calcaneal
tendon to posterior
calcaneus

Plantarflex foot

Tibial

Tibial

Lateral condyle of
femur and lateral
meniscus
Posterior surface of
tibia

Tibia above soleal

line

Planterflex foot and

flex leg (small
contribution for
both)
Flex and medially
rotate leg at knee

Distal phalanges of
toes 2-5

Flex toes 2-5,

plantarflex foot

Tibial

Posterior surface of
fibula and
interosseous
membrane
Fibula, tibia and
interosseous
membrane

Distal phalanx of
great toe

Flex big toe,

plantarflex

Tibial

Tuberosity of all
tarsals except talus

Plantar flex and

invert foot

Tibial

Tibial

Muscles of the Neck and Face

Muscle Name

Origin

Insertion

Action

Innervation

Platysma

Fascia over
pectoralis major and

Inferior border of
mandible, skin, and

Draw corners of
mouth inferiorly;

Facial (CN VII cervical branch)

14

deltoid

subcutaneous tissues
of lower face

Sternocleidomastoid

Manubrium and
clavicle

Mastoid process

Sternohyoid

Manubrium and
medial end of clavicle

Body of hyoid

Thyrohyoid

Thyroid cartilage

Inferior border of
body and greater
horn of hyoid

Depress hyoid,
elevate larynx

C1

Sternothyroid

Manubrium

Thyroid cartilage

Depress thyroid
cartilage

C1-C3

Digastric

Mastoid notch
(digastric groove)

Mandible near
symphysis

Raise hyoid and base

of tongue; depress
mandible

Mylohyoid

Mylohyoid line of

Hyoid bone and

Elevate hyoid and

Posterior belly:
Facial (CN VII)
Anterior belly:
Trigeminal (CN V
mandibular division)
Trigeminal (CNV

15

tense skin of inferior

face and neck
(grimace)
Unilateral
contraction tip
head toward
shoulder while
turning head to
opposite side;
Bilateral contraction
flex cervical
vertebrae (chin
toward chest)
Depress hyoid

Spinal accessory (CN

XI) and C2, C3

C1-C3

mandible

median raphe

Geniohyoid

Mandible

Body of hyoid

Omohyoid

Medial lip of
suprascapular notch

Lower border of
body of hyoid

Stylohyoid

Styloid process of
temporal bone

Body of hyoid

Masseter

Lower border of
zygomatic arch

Ramus and coronoid

process of mandible

Buccinator

Mandible, alveolar
processes of maxilla
and mandible,
ptyergomandibular
raphe

Angle of mouth

16

base of tongue;
mandibular division)
depress mandible
Elevate hyoid and
C1, C2
base of tongue
Depress, retract, and C1-C3
steady hyoid
Elevate and retract
hyoid, elongating
floor of mouth
Raise and protract
mandible

Facial (CN VII )

Compress cheek
against molar teeth

Facial (CN VII)

Trigeminal (CNV
mandibular division)