Muscle Action Reference

Muscles moving the head

Flexion Sternocleidomastoid Extension SemiSPinalis Capitis, Splenius Capitis Lateral Flexion Sternocleidomastoid, Splenius Capitis, Longissimus Capitis Rotation to the Side opposite contracting muscle Sternocleidomastoid, Semispinalis Capitis Rotation to the same side as contracting muscle Splenius Capitis, Longissimus Capitis

Abdominal muscles acting on the vertebral column

Flexion Rectus Abdominis, External Oblique, Internal Oblique Lateral Flexion External Oblique, Internal Oblique, Quadratus Lumborum Extension Quadratus Lumborum Rotation External Oblique, Internal Oblique

Muscles used in breathing

Increase in Vertical Length Diaphragm Increase in lateral & anterposterior dimensions External Intercostals Decrease in Lateral and anteroposterior Dimensions Internal Intercostals

Muscles of the Pectoral Girdle acting on the Scapula

Depression Subscapularis, Trapeziius Elevation Levator Scapulae, Rhomboid Major, Rhomboid Minor, Trapezius Abduction Pectoralis Minor, Serratus Anterior

Adduction Trapezius, Rhomboid Major, Rhomboid Minor Upward Rotation Serratus Anterior, Trapezius Downward Rotation Pectoralis Minor, Levator Scapulae Rhomboid Major, Rhomboid Minor

Muscles Acting on the Humerus at the Shoulder Joint

Flexion Pectoralis Major, Deltoid, Coracobrachialis, Biceps Brachii Extension Pectoralis Major, Latissimus, Deltoid, Teres Major, Teres Minor, Triceps Brachii Abduction Deltoid, Supraspinatus Adduction Pectoralis Major, Latissimus Dorsi, Infraspinatus, Teres Major, Teres Minor, Coracobrachialis Medial Rotation Pectoralis Major, Latissimus Dorsi, Deltoid, Subscapularis, Teres Major Lateral Rotation Deltoid, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor

Muscles acting on the Radius and Ulna at the Elbow Joint

Flexion Biceps Brachii, Brachialis, Brachiradioalis, Pronator Teres Extension Triceps Brachii, Aconeus Acting on the Forearm at the Shoulder Joint Supination Biceps Brachii, Brachioradialis, Supinator Pronation Brachiradialis, Pronator Teres, Pronator Quadratus Acting on the Humerus at the Shoulder Joint Flexion Biceps Brachii Extension - Triceps Brachii

Muscle Actions on the Wrist, Hand, Thumb & Fingers

On the Wrist Joint Flexion Flexor Carpi Radialis, Palmaris Longus, Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

Extension Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus, Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis, Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Abduction Flexor Carpi Radialis, Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus, Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis On the Fingers at the Metacarpophalangeal Joints Flexion Flexor Digitorum Superficialis, Flexor Digitorum Profundus Extension Extensor Digitorum, Extensor Digitorum Minimi On the Fingers at the Interphalangeal Joints Flexion Flexor Digitorum Superficialis, Flexor Digitorum Profundus Extension Extensor Digitorum On the Thumb at the Carpometacarpal, Metacarpophalangeal & Interphalangeal Joints Extension Abductor Pollicis Longus, Extensor Pollicis Brevis, Extensor Pollicis Longus, Extensor Indicis

Muscles acting on the Hand

Acting on the Thumb and at the Carpometacarpal & Metaphalangeal Joints Abduction Abductor Pollicis Brevis Adduction Adductor Pollicis Flexion Flexor Pollicis Brevis Opposition Opponens Pollicis Acting on the Fingers at the Metacarpophalangeal & Interphalangeal Joints Abduction Abductor Digiti Minimi, Dorsla Interossei Adduction Palmar Interossei Flexion Lumbricals, Flexor Digiti, Minimi Brevis, Palmar & Dorsal Interossei Extension Dorsal Interossei, Lumbricals

Muscles acting on the Vertebral Column

Acting on the Head at the Atlanto Occipital & Intervertebral Joints Flexion Anterior Scalene, Middle Scalene, Posterior Scalene Extension Splenius Capitus, Splenius Cervicus, Semispinalis Capitis, Semispinalis Cervicis Lateral Flexion Splenius Capitis, Splenius Cervicis, Iliocostalis Cervicis, Logissimus Capitis, Longissimus Cervicus Rotation to the same side as contracting Muscles Splenius Capitis, Splenius Cervicis, Longissimus Capitis Rotation to the opposite side as contracting muscle Semispinalis Capitis, Semispinalis Cervicis, Multifidis On the Vertebral Column at the Intervertebral Joints Extension Iliocostalis Thoracis, Iliocostalis Lumborum, Longissimus Thoracis, Spinalis Thoracis, Semispinalis Thoracis, Mulifidis, Rotatores Lateral Flexion Iliocostalis, Longissimus, Multifidis, Intertransversarii Rotation Rotatores Stabilization Interspinales, Intertransversarii

Acting on the Ribs Elevation during Deep Inhalation Anterior Scalene, Middle Scalene, Posterior Scalene

Muscles acting on the Femur at the Hip Joint

Flexion Tensor Fasciae Latae, Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Magnus, Pectineus, Psoas Major, Iliacus Extension Gluteus Maximus, Adductor Magnus Abduction Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus, Tensor Fasciae Latae, Piriformis, Obturator Internus, Obturator Externus, Superior Gamellus, Inferior Gamellus Adduction Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Magnus, Pectineus Medial Rotation Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus, Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Magnus

Lateral Rotation Psoas Major, Iliacus, Gluteus Maximus, Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus, Piriformis, Obturator Internus, Obturator Externus, Superior Gamellus, Inferior Gamellus, Quadratus Femoris.

Muscles actinbg on the Thigh(Femur, Tibia, Fibula) at the Hip Joint

Abduction Sartorius Adduction Adductor Magnus, Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Pectineus, Gracilis Lateral Rotation Sartorius Flexion Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, Vastus Intermedius, Sartorius Extension Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus, Acting on the Leg at the Knee Joint Flexion Gracilis, Sartorius, Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus Extension Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, Vastus Intermedius

Muscles acting on the Foot at the Ankle Joint

Dorsiflexion Tibialis Anterior, Extensor Hallucis Longus, Extensor Digitorum Longus, Peroneus Tertius Plantarflexion Fibularis Longus, Fibularis Brevis, Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Plantaris, Tibialis Posterior, Flexor Digitorum Longus, Flexor Hallucis Longus Acting on the Foot at the Intertarsal Joints Inversion Tibialis Anterior, Tibialis Posterior Eversion Peroneus Tertius, Fibularis Longus, Fibularis Brevis Acting on the Toes at the Metatarsophalangeal & Interphalangeal Joints Flexion Flexor Digitorum Longus, Flexor Hallucis Longus

Extension - Extensor Hallucis Longus, Extensor Digitorum Longus