Muscles: Their Origin, Insertion, Action and Innervation

Muscle:
Origin:
Insertion:
Posterior Abdominal Wall, Back and Neck
Abdominal Wall
Psoas Major
Transverse processes
of lumbar vertebrae,
Sides of bodies of
T12-L5
Iliacus
SUPR 2/3s of iliac
fossa, sacrum and
sacroiliac ligaments
Quadratus
MED half of interior
Lumborum
border of 12th ribs and
tips of lumbar
transverse processes
uscle:
Origin:

Strong tendon to lesser

trochanter of femur

Strong tendon to lesser

trochanter of femur
Iliolumbar ligament &
internal lip of iliac crest

Action: FL, EX, PF, DF, INV, EV,

INROT, EXROT, AB, AD, etc
- Acts with iliacus to FL thigh
- LATFL vertebral column
- When sitting, acts with iliacus
to FL trunk
- FL thigh
- Stabilizes hip joint
- Acts w/ Psoas Major
- EX vertebral column
- LATFL vertebral column
- Fixes 12th rib during inspiration

Insertion:

Action: FL, EX, PF, DF,

INV, EV, INROT, EXROT,
AB, AD, etc

Back Muscles
Extrinsic Superficial (Trapz, Lats, Levator Scapulae, Rhomboids)
Trapezius
- External occipital
Lateral 1/3 of clavicle, acromion and
protuberance
scapula spine
- Nuchal ligament to
C7-T12 spinous
processes

Latissimus Dorsi

- Spinous processes of
thoracic vertebrae
- Fascia
- Iliac crest
- Inferior 3 or 4 ribs

Innervation:

Intertubercular groove of humerus

Anterior rami of
lumbar nerves
L1, L2, L3
Femoral nerve
(L2-L4)

Anterior
branches of T12
and L1-L4 nerves
Innervation:

- Descending ELV
scapula
- Middle or all RETR
scapula
- Ascending DEP
scapula
- Descending &
Ascending UPROT
- EXT humerus
- AD humerus
- MEDROT humerus
- DOWNROT scapula
- DEPR scapula
- RETR scapula

Spinal accessory
nerve (CN XI;
motor); C2 and
C3 nerves (pain
and
proprioception)

Thoracodorsal
nerve (C6, C7,
C8)

Levator
Scapulae

- Transverse
processes of C1-C4
vertebrae

Superior medial border of scapula

Rhomboids
Minor (superior)
Major (inferior)

- Nuchal ligament
- Spinous processes
(C7-T5)

Medial border of scapula

Muscle:

Origin:

Insertion:

Action: FL, EX, PF, DF, INV,

EV, INROT, EXROT, AB, AD,
etc

Superior borders of 2nd to 4th ribs

Proprioception (elevate
ribs)

Extrinsic Intermediate
Serratus
Nuchal ligament,
Posterior
spinous processes of
Superior
C7 T3 vertebrae

- ELEV scapula
- DOWNROT scapula

- ELEV scapula
- RETR scapula
- DOWNROT scapula

Serratus
Posterior Inferior

Spinous processes to
T11 L2 vertebrae

Inferior borders of 8th 12th ribs

near their angles

Proprioception (depress ribs)

Erector Spinae

Arises by a broad
tendon from posterior
part of iliac crest,
posterior surface of
sacrum, sacroiliac
ligaments, sacral and
inferior lumbar
spinous processes,
and supraspinous
ligament.

Iliocostalis: lumborum, thoracis,

cervicis; fibers run superiorly to
angles of lower ribs and cervical
transverse processes

- Acting bilaterally:
extend vertebral column
and head; as back is FL,
control movement via
eccentric contraction

Lateral Column:
Iliocostalis
Intermediate
Column:
Longissimus
Medial Column:
Spinalis

Longissimus: thoracis, cervicis,

capitis; fibers run superiorly to ribs
between tubercles and angles to
transverse processes in thoracic
and cervical regions, and to
mastoid process of temporal bone
Spinalis: thoracis, cervicis, capitis;
fibers run superiorly to spinous
processes in the upper thoracic

- Acting unilaterally: LATFL

vertebral column

Dorsal scapular
(C5) and cervical
(C3, C4) nerves
Dorsal scapular
nerve (C4, C5)

Innervation:

2nd 5th
intercostal
nerves
Anterior rami to
T9 T12 thoracic
spinal nerves
Posterior rami of
spinal nerves

Splenius Capitis

Splenius Cervicis

Nuchal ligament,
spinous processes
of C7-T3 or T4

nuchal ligament,
spinous processes
of C7-T3 or T4

region and to cranium.

Mastoid process & occipital
bone

transverse processes of C1-C3

or C4 vertebrae

Muscles: Their Origin, Insertion, Action and Innervation

Muscle:
Origin:
Insertion:
Back Muscles: Intrinsic Superficial
Splenius Capitis
Nuchal ligament,
spinous processes
of C7-T3 or T4
Splenius Cervicis

nuchal ligament,
spinous processes
of C7-T3 or T4

Back Muscles: Intrinsic - Deep

Muscles
Superior Attachment
Transversospi
nalis muscles
Semispinalis
Capitis
* Multifidus

Transverse processes

Mastoid process &

occipital bone

transverse processes
of C1-C3 or C4
vertebrae

Inferior Attachment
Spinous processes of
more superior vertebrae

- Acting alone LATFL

neck and ROT head to side
of active muscle
- Acting together EXT
head and neck
- Acting alone LATFL
neck and ROT head to side
of active muscle
- Acting together EXT
head and neck

Action: FL, EX, PF, DF, INV, EV, INDROT,

EXROT, AB, AD, etc
- Acting alone LATFL neck and
ROT head to side of active muscle
- Acting together EXT head and
neck
- Acting alone LATFL neck and
ROT head to side of active muscle
- Acting together EXT head and
neck
Action: FL, EX, PF, DF, INV, EV, INDROT,
EXROT, AB, AD, etc
Stabilize vertebrae during local
movements of vertebral column

Posterior rami of
spinal nerves

Posterior rami of
spinal nerves

Innervation:

Posterior rami of
spinal nerves

Posterior rami of
spinal nerves

Innervation:

Posterior rami of
spinal nervesa

Rotatores
Levatores
costarum

Transverse processes

Muscle:

Pass INFR and insert on

rib

- Elevate ribs, assisting respiration

- Assist with lateral flexion of
vertebral column

Posterior rami of
C8-T11 spinal
nerves

Superior
Attachment:
Superficial Neck Muscles
Platysma
INF border of
mandible, skin, and
subcutaneous
tissues of lower
face
Sternocleidomas LAT surface of
toid
mastoid process of
temporal bone &
LAT half of superior
nuchal ligament

Inferior Attachment:

Action: FL, EX, PF, DF, INV, EV, INDROT,

EXROT, AB, AD, etc

Innervation:

Fascia covering superior

parts of pectoralis major
and deltoid muscles

Cervical branch of
facial nerve (CN
VII)

Trapezius

Lateral 1/3 of clavicle,

acromion and scapula
spine

Draws corners of mouth inferiorly and

widens it as in expressions of sadness
and fright; draws skin of neck superiorly
when teeth are clenched
- UniLAT contraction LATFL with ROT
(C)
- BiLAT contraction EX neck at atlantooccipital joint (D), FL cervical vertebrae
(E)
- Head and Neck Fixed: BILAT
contraction can ELE clavicles and
manubrium, thereby acting to assist
respiration
- Assisting in the production of the
pump-handle movement of the thoracic
wall (expanding wall anteriorl=y)
With shoulders fixed:
- BILAT contraction extends neck
- UNILAT contraction produces
LATFL

From EX occipital
protuberance,
nuchal ligament to
C7-T12 spinous
processes

- Sternal head:
manubrium & sternum
- Clavicular head: medial
third of clavicle

Muscles: Their Origin, Insertion, Action and Innervation

Muscle:
Superior Attachment:
Inferior Attachment:
Neck Muscles
Deep Muscles

Action: FL, EX, PF, DF, INV, EV,

INDROT, EXROT, AB, AD, etc

Spinal accessory
nerve (CN XI,
motor); C2 and C3
nerves (pain and
proprioception)

Spinal accessory
nerve (CN XI;
motor); C2 and C3
nerves (pain and
proprioception)
Innervation:

Scalenes
Anterior
(scalenus
ant.)
Middle
Posterior

Longus Colli

Longus Capitis

Transverse processes of
C2-C7 vertebrae

Bodies of C1-C3 and

transverse processes of
C3-C6 vertebrae
Occipital bone

Anterior:
- 1st rib
Middle:
- 1st rib
Posterior:
2nd rib

Bodies of C5-T3 and

transverse processes of
C3-C5 vertebrae
Transverse processes of
C3-C5 vertebrae

- Flexes neck
- Rotation to opposite side if
acting unilaterally
- FL neck

- FL head

Rectus Capitis
Anterior

Base of cranium, ANT

to occipital condyle

LAT mass of atlas (C1)

Rectus Capitis
Lateralis

Base of cranium, ANT

to occipital condyle

LAT mass of atlas (C1)

Muscle:

Proximal Attachment:

Distal Attachment:

Neck Muscles Suboccipital Muscles

Rectus Capitus Major spinous
Posterior
process of C2 (axis)
(Major and
Minor posterior arch
Minor)
of C1 (atlas)
Obliques
Superior: transverse

Anterior:
- FL head (A)
Middle:
- LATFL neck
- EL 1st during forced
inspiration
Posterior:
- LATFL neck
- EL 2nd rib during forced
inspiration

Anterior: Cervical
spinal nerves C4-C6
Middle:
Anterior rami of
cervical spinal
nerves
Posterior: Anterior
rami of cervical
spinal nerves C7
and C8
Anterior rami of C2C6 spinal nerves
Anterior rami of C1C3 spinal nerves
Branches from loop
between C1 and C2
spinal nerves

Occipital bone

Superior: Occipital bone

- FL head
- Stabilize head

Branches from loop

between C1 and C2
spinal nerves

Action: FL, EX, PF, DF, INV, EV,

INROT, EX, AB, AD, etc

Innervation:

- EX
- ROT

Suboccipital nerve:
- Posterior ramus of
spinal nerve C1
- Runs between
cranium and C1

Superior:

Capitis
Superior and
Inferior

process of C1
Inferior: posterior
arch C2

Inferior: transverse
process of C1

Muscle

Proximal Attachment:

Distal Attachment

Action: FL, EX, PF, DF, INV, EV,

INROT, EX, AB, AD, etc

Innervation:

Psoas Major: Strong

tendon to lesser
trochanter of femur

Psoas Major:
- Acts with iliacus to flex thigh
- Stabilizes hip while standing

Psoas Major:
ANT rami of
lumbar nerves
(L1-L3)

Hip Muscles
Hip Muscles: Anterior
Ilipsoas
Psoas Major:
Transverse processes
Psoas Major
of lumbar vertebrae,
sides of bodies of T12L5 and discs
Psoas Minor
Psoas Minor: Sides of
T12-L1 and discs
Iliacus
IIliacus: iliac fossa and
crest, sacrum and
sacroiliac ligaments

Sartorius

Psoas Minor: Pectineal

line, iliopectineal
eminence via iliopectineal
arch
Iliacus: strong tendon to
lesser trochanter of femur

ANT SUP iliac spine

(ASIS)

SUPR part of MED surface

of tibia (Pes Anserinus)

Pectineus

SUP ramus of pubis

Rectus Femoris

ANT INF iliac spine

(AIIS)

Pectineal line of femur,

INF to lesser trochanter
Quadriceps tendon and
aponeuroses

- EX
- LATFL
Inferior :
- ROT

Psoas Minor:
- Acts with psoas major to flex
thigh
- Stabilizes hip while standing
Iliacus:
- Acts with psoas major to flex
thigh
- Stabilizes hip while standing
- FL thigh at hip
- ABD thigh at hip
- LATROT thigh at hip
- FL leg at knee
- MEDROT leg at knee when
flexed
- ADD thigh
- FL thigh
- Flexes thigh at hip
- Extends leg at knee

vertebra to reach
suboccipital triangle
- Muscles of
suboccipital triangle

Psoas Minor:
ANT rami of
lumbar nerves
(L1, L2)
Iliacus:
Femoral Nerve
(L2, L3)
Femoral nerve
(L2, L3)

Femoral nerve
(L2, L3)
Femoral nerve
(L2, L3, L4)

Muscle

Proximal Attachment

Hip Muscles
Minor Deep Layer
Gracilis
Body and INF ramus of
pubis

Adductor
Magnus

Adductor part: INF

ramus of pubis, ramus
of ischium
Hamstrings part:
ischial tuberosity

Adductor Brevis

Adductor Longus

Distal Attachment

Action: FL, EX, PF, DF, INV, EV,

INROT, EX, AB, AD, etc

SUP part of MED surface

of tibia (Pes Anserinus)

- ADD thigh at hip

- FL leg at knee
- Helps MEDROT leg at knee

Adductor part: gluteal

tuberosity, linear
aspera, MED
supracondylar line

- Adducts thigh at hip

- Adductor part: flexes
- Hamstring part: extends

Hamstrings part: ADD

tubercle of femur

Body and inferior ramus

of pubis

Pectineal line and

proximal part of linea
aspera of femur

- Adducts thigh at hip

- Helps flex thigh at hip

Body of pubis INF to

pubic crest

Middle 3rd of linea

aspera of femur

ADD thigh at hip

Innervation

Obturator nerve
(L2, L3)
Adductor part:
obturator nerve
(L2, L3, L4),
branches of
posterior division
Hamstring
part: tibial part
of sciatic nerve
(L4)
Obturator nerve,
branch of,
anterior division
(L2, L3, L4)
Obturator nerve,
branch of,
anterior division
(L2, L3, L4)

Obturator
Externus

Margins of obturator
foramen and
obturator membrane

Trochanteric fossa of
femur

- LATROT thigh
- Steadies head of femur in
acetabulum

Long head: ischial

tuberosity
Short head: linear
aspera and lateral
supracondylar line of
femur

LAT side of head of

fibula

- EX thigh at hip
- FL leg at knee
- MEDROT leg at knee when FL

Semimembranos
us

Ischial tuberosity

POST pt of MED condyle

of tibia

- EX thigh at hip
- FL leg at knee
- MEDROT leg at knee when FL

Semitendinosis

Ischial tuberosity

MED surface of SUPR pt

of tibia (pes anserinus)

- EX thigh at hip
- FL leg at knee
- MEDROT leg at knee when FL

Proximal Attachment:

Distal Attachment:

Action: FL, EX, PF, DF, INV, EV,

INROT, EX, AB, AD, etc

Innervation:

ANT tubercle of C1
vertebra (atlas); bodies
of C1-C3 and transverse
processes of C3-C6
vertebrae
EXTR surface of ilium
between ANT and INF

Bodies of C5-T3
vertebrae; transverse
processes of C3-C5
vertebrae

FL neck w/ ROT (torsion) to

opposite side if acting
unilaterally

Branches of
anterior rami of
S1, S2

ANT surface of greater

trochanter of femur

- ABD thigh
- MEDROT thigh

Superior gluteal
nerve (L5, S1)

Posterior
Biceps Femoris

Muscles
Hip Joint Muscles
Gluteal
Piriformis

Gluteus Minimus

Obturator nerve
(L3, L4)

Long head: tibial

division of sciatic
nerve (L5, S1,
S2) Short head:
common fibular
division of sciatic
nerve (L5, S1,
S2)
Tibial division of
sciatic nerve part
of tibia (L5, S1,
S2)
Tibial division of
sciatic nerve part
of tibia (L5, S1,
S2)

gluteal lines
Gluteus Medius

EXTR surface of ilium

between anterior and
posterior gluteal lines

LAT surface of greater

trochanter of femur

Gluteus
Maximus

Ilium POST to POST

gluteal line, dorsal
surface of sacrum &
coccyx, sacrotuberous
ligament
ANTSUP iliac spine;
anterior part of iliac
crest

Iliotibial tract & gluteal

tuberosity

Obturator
Internus

Pelvic surface of
obturator membrane
and surrounding bones

MED surface of greater

trochanter (trochanteric
fossa) of femur

Superior
Gemellus

Ischial spine

MED surface of greater

trochanter (trochanteric
fossa) of femur

Inferior
Gemellus

Iscial tuberosity

MED surface of greater

trochanter (trochanteric
fossa) of femur

Quadratus
Fermoris

LAT border of ischial

tuberosity

Quadrate tubercle on
intertrochanteric crest of
femur and area inferior
to it

Tensor of Fascia
Lata

Iliotibial tract, which

attaches to lateral
condyle of tibia

- Keeps pelvis level during

walking
- ABD thigh
- MEDROT thigh
- Keeps pelvis level during
walking
- EX thigh
- Assists in LATROT of thigh
- Steadies thigh and assists in
rising from sitting position
- ABD thigh
- MEDROT thigh
- Keeps pelvis level during
walking
- LATROT and EXTd thigh
- ABD FL thigh
- Steadies femoral head in
acetabulum
- LATROT and ENTd thigh
- ABD FLd thigh
- Steadies femoral head in
acetabulum
- LATROT and ENTd thigh
- ABD FLd thigh
- Steadies femoral head in
acetabulum
- LATROT EXTd thigh
- Steadies femoral head in
acetabulum

Superior gluteal
nerve (L5, S1)

Inferior gluteal
nerve (L5, S1,
S2)

Superior gluteal
nerve (L5, S1)

Nerve to
obturator
internus (L5, S1)
Nerve to
obturator
internus (L5, S1)
Nerve to
quadratus
femoris (L5, S1)
Nerve to
quadratus
femoris (L5, S1)