This single-file reference table covers major muscles of the shoulder girdle and upper limb, lower limb, and torso, with origin, insertion, and an example of movement. It is designed to open directly by double-clicking the HTML file.
| Region | Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Example of movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Trapezius | External occipital protuberance, nuchal ligament, spinous processes C7-T12 | Lateral third of clavicle, acromion, spine of scapula | Elevates, retracts, depresses, and upwardly rotates scapula; example: shrugging the shoulders |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Levator scapulae | Transverse processes C1-C4 | Medial border of scapula superior to spine | Elevates scapula; example: lifting the shoulder blade |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Rhomboid minor | Nuchal ligament, spinous processes C7-T1 | Medial end of scapular spine | Retracts and downwardly rotates scapula; example: pinching shoulder blades together |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Rhomboid major | Spinous processes T2-T5 | Medial border of scapula from spine to inferior angle | Retracts and downwardly rotates scapula; example: rowing motion |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Serratus anterior | External surfaces of ribs 1-8 | Anterior surface of medial border of scapula | Protracts and upwardly rotates scapula; example: punching forward |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Pectoralis minor | Ribs 3-5 near costal cartilages | Coracoid process of scapula | Stabilizes scapula by drawing it anteriorly and inferiorly; example: reaching downward with the shoulder girdle |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Deltoid | Lateral third of clavicle, acromion, spine of scapula | Deltoid tuberosity of humerus | Abducts arm; anterior fibers flex/medially rotate, posterior fibers extend/laterally rotate; example: lifting the arm sideways |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Supraspinatus | Supraspinous fossa of scapula | Superior facet of greater tubercle of humerus | Initiates arm abduction; example: starting to raise the arm |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Infraspinatus | Infraspinous fossa of scapula | Middle facet of greater tubercle of humerus | Laterally rotates arm; example: rotating forearm outward with elbow flexed |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Teres minor | Middle lateral border of scapula | Inferior facet of greater tubercle of humerus | Laterally rotates arm; example: external shoulder rotation |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Subscapularis | Subscapular fossa | Lesser tubercle of humerus | Medially rotates arm; example: reaching hand behind back |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Teres major | Posterior surface of inferior angle of scapula | Medial lip of intertubercular sulcus of humerus | Adducts and medially rotates arm; example: pulling something toward the body |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Pectoralis major | Medial clavicle, sternum, costal cartilages 1-6(7), external oblique aponeurosis | Lateral lip of intertubercular sulcus of humerus | Adducts and medially rotates arm; clavicular head flexes arm; example: pushing open a heavy door |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Latissimus dorsi | Spinous processes T6-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, inferior 3-4 ribs | Floor of intertubercular sulcus of humerus | Extends, adducts, and medially rotates arm; example: pull-up or swimming stroke |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Biceps brachii | Short head: coracoid process; long head: supraglenoid tubercle of scapula | Radial tuberosity and bicipital aponeurosis | Supinates and flexes forearm; example: turning a doorknob and curling a weight |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Brachialis | Distal half of anterior humerus | Coronoid process and tuberosity of ulna | Primary flexor of forearm; example: elbow flexion during a curl |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Triceps brachii | Long head: infraglenoid tubercle; lateral head: posterior humerus above radial groove; medial head: posterior humerus below radial groove | Olecranon of ulna | Extends forearm; long head also extends/adducts arm; example: pushing up from a chair |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Brachioradialis | Lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus | Lateral distal radius near styloid process | Flexes forearm best in mid-pronation; example: lifting a hammer |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Pronator teres | Medial epicondyle of humerus and coronoid process of ulna | Lateral surface of radius | Pronates forearm; example: turning palm downward |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Supinator | Lateral epicondyle of humerus, radial collateral and annular ligaments, supinator fossa and crest of ulna | Proximal third of radius | Supinates forearm; example: turning palm upward |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Flexor carpi radialis | Medial epicondyle of humerus | Bases of metacarpals 2-3 | Flexes and abducts wrist; example: bending wrist forward toward thumb side |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Flexor carpi ulnaris | Medial epicondyle of humerus, olecranon and posterior border of ulna | Pisiform, hook of hamate, base of metacarpal 5 | Flexes and adducts wrist; example: bending wrist toward little-finger side |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Extensor carpi radialis longus | Lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus | Base of metacarpal 2 | Extends and abducts wrist; example: cocking wrist back |
| Shoulder girdle / upper limb | Extensor carpi ulnaris | Lateral epicondyle of humerus and posterior border of ulna | Base of metacarpal 5 | Extends and adducts wrist; example: drawing hand backward toward ulna |
| Lower limb | Iliopsoas | Psoas major: T12-L5 vertebrae; iliacus: iliac fossa | Lesser trochanter of femur | Flexes thigh at hip; example: lifting knee to climb stairs |
| Lower limb | Gluteus maximus | Posterior ilium, dorsal sacrum and coccyx, sacrotuberous ligament | Iliotibial tract and gluteal tuberosity of femur | Extends and laterally rotates thigh; example: rising from a chair or climbing |
| Lower limb | Gluteus medius | External surface of ilium between anterior and posterior gluteal lines | Lateral surface of greater trochanter | Abducts and medially rotates thigh; stabilizes pelvis; example: single-leg stance while walking |
| Lower limb | Gluteus minimus | External ilium between anterior and inferior gluteal lines | Anterior surface of greater trochanter | Abducts and medially rotates thigh; example: stabilizing pelvis during gait |
| Lower limb | Tensor fasciae latae | ASIS and anterior iliac crest | Iliotibial tract to lateral condyle of tibia | Flexes, abducts, medially rotates thigh; helps steady knee; example: side stepping |
| Lower limb | Adductor longus | Body of pubis inferior to pubic crest | Middle third of linea aspera of femur | Adducts thigh; example: bringing legs together |
| Lower limb | Adductor magnus | Inferior ramus of pubis, ramus of ischium, ischial tuberosity | Linea aspera and adductor tubercle of femur | Adducts thigh; hamstring part extends thigh; example: standing from squat with thighs stabilized |
| Lower limb | Gracilis | Body and inferior ramus of pubis | Superior medial surface of tibia | Adducts thigh and flexes leg; example: crossing legs |
| Lower limb | Sartorius | ASIS | Superior medial surface of tibia | Flexes, abducts, laterally rotates thigh and flexes knee; example: sitting cross-legged |
| Lower limb | Rectus femoris | AIIS and ilium superior to acetabulum | Tibial tuberosity via patella and patellar ligament | Extends leg and flexes thigh; example: kicking a ball |
| Lower limb | Vastus lateralis | Greater trochanter and lateral lip of linea aspera | Tibial tuberosity via patella and patellar ligament | Extends leg at knee; example: straightening the knee |
| Lower limb | Vastus medialis | Intertrochanteric line and medial lip of linea aspera | Tibial tuberosity via patella and patellar ligament | Extends leg at knee; example: terminal knee extension |
| Lower limb | Biceps femoris | Long head: ischial tuberosity; short head: linea aspera and lateral supracondylar line | Head of fibula | Flexes leg; long head extends thigh; example: bending knee while running |
| Lower limb | Semitendinosus | Ischial tuberosity | Superior medial surface of tibia | Extends thigh and flexes leg; example: decelerating leg in sprinting |
| Lower limb | Semimembranosus | Ischial tuberosity | Posterior part of medial condyle of tibia | Extends thigh and flexes leg; example: hip extension while walking uphill |
| Lower limb | Tibialis anterior | Lateral condyle and superior lateral surface of tibia, interosseous membrane | Medial cuneiform and base of metatarsal 1 | Dorsiflexes and inverts foot; example: lifting foot during swing phase |
| Lower limb | Fibularis longus | Head and superior two-thirds of lateral fibula | Base of metatarsal 1 and medial cuneiform | Everts and plantarflexes foot; example: pushing off while keeping foot everted |
| Lower limb | Gastrocnemius | Lateral and medial femoral condyles | Posterior calcaneus via calcaneal tendon | Plantarflexes foot and flexes knee; example: tiptoe standing or jumping |
| Lower limb | Soleus | Posterior head and proximal shaft of fibula, soleal line of tibia | Posterior calcaneus via calcaneal tendon | Plantarflexes foot; example: maintaining posture while standing |
| Torso (back, abdomen, core) | Erector spinae | Broad tendon from posterior iliac crest, sacrum, sacroiliac ligaments, sacral and inferior lumbar spinous processes | Angles of ribs, transverse and spinous processes of cervical/thoracic vertebrae, mastoid process depending on column | Extends and laterally flexes vertebral column; example: straightening up from bending forward |
| Torso (back, abdomen, core) | Multifidus | Sacrum, PSIS, mammillary processes, transverse processes T1-T3, articular processes C4-C7 | Spinous processes 2-4 segments above | Stabilizes vertebrae and assists extension/rotation; example: segmental spinal stabilization during lifting |
| Torso (back, abdomen, core) | Quadratus lumborum | Iliac crest and iliolumbar ligament | Inferior border of rib 12 and transverse processes L1-L4 | Extends and laterally flexes vertebral column; fixes 12th rib; example: hip hiking |
| Torso (back, abdomen, core) | Latissimus dorsi | Spinous processes T6-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, inferior 3-4 ribs | Floor of intertubercular sulcus of humerus | Extends, adducts, and medially rotates arm; example: pull-up |
| Torso (back, abdomen, core) | Rectus abdominis | Pubic symphysis and pubic crest | Xiphoid process and costal cartilages 5-7 | Flexes trunk and compresses abdominal viscera; example: sit-up |
| Torso (back, abdomen, core) | External oblique | External surfaces of ribs 5-12 | Linea alba, pubic tubercle, anterior half of iliac crest | Compresses abdomen; flexes and contralaterally rotates trunk; example: twisting torso to opposite side |
| Torso (back, abdomen, core) | Internal oblique | Thoracolumbar fascia, anterior two-thirds iliac crest, lateral half inguinal ligament | Inferior borders ribs 10-12, linea alba, pecten pubis via conjoint tendon | Compresses abdomen; flexes and ipsilaterally rotates trunk; example: twisting torso to same side |
| Torso (back, abdomen, core) | Transversus abdominis | Internal surfaces costal cartilages 7-12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, lateral third inguinal ligament | Linea alba, pubic crest, pecten pubis via conjoint tendon | Compresses and supports abdominal contents; example: bracing the core before lifting |
| Torso (back, abdomen, core) | Diaphragm | Xiphoid process, inner surfaces lower six ribs/costal cartilages, lumbar vertebrae via crura | Central tendon | Principal muscle of inspiration; example: inhaling deeply |
| Torso (back, abdomen, core) | Pelvic floor (levator ani group) | Body of pubis, tendinous arch of obturator fascia, ischial spine | Perineal body, walls of prostate/vagina, anal canal, coccyx | Supports pelvic viscera and resists increases in intra-abdominal pressure; example: maintaining continence and core support during coughing |
Origin: External occipital protuberance, nuchal ligament, spinous processes C7-T12
Insertion: Lateral third of clavicle, acromion, spine of scapula
Example movement: Elevates, retracts, depresses, and upwardly rotates scapula; example: shrugging the shoulders
Origin: Transverse processes C1-C4
Insertion: Medial border of scapula superior to spine
Example movement: Elevates scapula; example: lifting the shoulder blade
Origin: Nuchal ligament, spinous processes C7-T1
Insertion: Medial end of scapular spine
Example movement: Retracts and downwardly rotates scapula; example: pinching shoulder blades together
Origin: Spinous processes T2-T5
Insertion: Medial border of scapula from spine to inferior angle
Example movement: Retracts and downwardly rotates scapula; example: rowing motion
Origin: External surfaces of ribs 1-8
Insertion: Anterior surface of medial border of scapula
Example movement: Protracts and upwardly rotates scapula; example: punching forward
Origin: Ribs 3-5 near costal cartilages
Insertion: Coracoid process of scapula
Example movement: Stabilizes scapula by drawing it anteriorly and inferiorly; example: reaching downward with the shoulder girdle
Origin: Lateral third of clavicle, acromion, spine of scapula
Insertion: Deltoid tuberosity of humerus
Example movement: Abducts arm; anterior fibers flex/medially rotate, posterior fibers extend/laterally rotate; example: lifting the arm sideways
Origin: Supraspinous fossa of scapula
Insertion: Superior facet of greater tubercle of humerus
Example movement: Initiates arm abduction; example: starting to raise the arm
Origin: Infraspinous fossa of scapula
Insertion: Middle facet of greater tubercle of humerus
Example movement: Laterally rotates arm; example: rotating forearm outward with elbow flexed
Origin: Middle lateral border of scapula
Insertion: Inferior facet of greater tubercle of humerus
Example movement: Laterally rotates arm; example: external shoulder rotation
Origin: Subscapular fossa
Insertion: Lesser tubercle of humerus
Example movement: Medially rotates arm; example: reaching hand behind back
Origin: Posterior surface of inferior angle of scapula
Insertion: Medial lip of intertubercular sulcus of humerus
Example movement: Adducts and medially rotates arm; example: pulling something toward the body
Origin: Medial clavicle, sternum, costal cartilages 1-6(7), external oblique aponeurosis
Insertion: Lateral lip of intertubercular sulcus of humerus
Example movement: Adducts and medially rotates arm; clavicular head flexes arm; example: pushing open a heavy door
Origin: Spinous processes T6-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, inferior 3-4 ribs
Insertion: Floor of intertubercular sulcus of humerus
Example movement: Extends, adducts, and medially rotates arm; example: pull-up or swimming stroke
Origin: Short head: coracoid process; long head: supraglenoid tubercle of scapula
Insertion: Radial tuberosity and bicipital aponeurosis
Example movement: Supinates and flexes forearm; example: turning a doorknob and curling a weight
Origin: Distal half of anterior humerus
Insertion: Coronoid process and tuberosity of ulna
Example movement: Primary flexor of forearm; example: elbow flexion during a curl
Origin: Long head: infraglenoid tubercle; lateral head: posterior humerus above radial groove; medial head: posterior humerus below radial groove
Insertion: Olecranon of ulna
Example movement: Extends forearm; long head also extends/adducts arm; example: pushing up from a chair
Origin: Lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus
Insertion: Lateral distal radius near styloid process
Example movement: Flexes forearm best in mid-pronation; example: lifting a hammer
Origin: Medial epicondyle of humerus and coronoid process of ulna
Insertion: Lateral surface of radius
Example movement: Pronates forearm; example: turning palm downward
Origin: Lateral epicondyle of humerus, radial collateral and annular ligaments, supinator fossa and crest of ulna
Insertion: Proximal third of radius
Example movement: Supinates forearm; example: turning palm upward
Origin: Medial epicondyle of humerus
Insertion: Bases of metacarpals 2-3
Example movement: Flexes and abducts wrist; example: bending wrist forward toward thumb side
Origin: Medial epicondyle of humerus, olecranon and posterior border of ulna
Insertion: Pisiform, hook of hamate, base of metacarpal 5
Example movement: Flexes and adducts wrist; example: bending wrist toward little-finger side
Origin: Lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus
Insertion: Base of metacarpal 2
Example movement: Extends and abducts wrist; example: cocking wrist back
Origin: Lateral epicondyle of humerus and posterior border of ulna
Insertion: Base of metacarpal 5
Example movement: Extends and adducts wrist; example: drawing hand backward toward ulna
Origin: Psoas major: T12-L5 vertebrae; iliacus: iliac fossa
Insertion: Lesser trochanter of femur
Example movement: Flexes thigh at hip; example: lifting knee to climb stairs
Origin: Posterior ilium, dorsal sacrum and coccyx, sacrotuberous ligament
Insertion: Iliotibial tract and gluteal tuberosity of femur
Example movement: Extends and laterally rotates thigh; example: rising from a chair or climbing
Origin: External surface of ilium between anterior and posterior gluteal lines
Insertion: Lateral surface of greater trochanter
Example movement: Abducts and medially rotates thigh; stabilizes pelvis; example: single-leg stance while walking
Origin: External ilium between anterior and inferior gluteal lines
Insertion: Anterior surface of greater trochanter
Example movement: Abducts and medially rotates thigh; example: stabilizing pelvis during gait
Origin: ASIS and anterior iliac crest
Insertion: Iliotibial tract to lateral condyle of tibia
Example movement: Flexes, abducts, medially rotates thigh; helps steady knee; example: side stepping
Origin: Body of pubis inferior to pubic crest
Insertion: Middle third of linea aspera of femur
Example movement: Adducts thigh; example: bringing legs together
Origin: Inferior ramus of pubis, ramus of ischium, ischial tuberosity
Insertion: Linea aspera and adductor tubercle of femur
Example movement: Adducts thigh; hamstring part extends thigh; example: standing from squat with thighs stabilized
Origin: Body and inferior ramus of pubis
Insertion: Superior medial surface of tibia
Example movement: Adducts thigh and flexes leg; example: crossing legs
Origin: ASIS
Insertion: Superior medial surface of tibia
Example movement: Flexes, abducts, laterally rotates thigh and flexes knee; example: sitting cross-legged
Origin: AIIS and ilium superior to acetabulum
Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via patella and patellar ligament
Example movement: Extends leg and flexes thigh; example: kicking a ball
Origin: Greater trochanter and lateral lip of linea aspera
Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via patella and patellar ligament
Example movement: Extends leg at knee; example: straightening the knee
Origin: Intertrochanteric line and medial lip of linea aspera
Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via patella and patellar ligament
Example movement: Extends leg at knee; example: terminal knee extension
Origin: Long head: ischial tuberosity; short head: linea aspera and lateral supracondylar line
Insertion: Head of fibula
Example movement: Flexes leg; long head extends thigh; example: bending knee while running
Origin: Ischial tuberosity
Insertion: Superior medial surface of tibia
Example movement: Extends thigh and flexes leg; example: decelerating leg in sprinting
Origin: Ischial tuberosity
Insertion: Posterior part of medial condyle of tibia
Example movement: Extends thigh and flexes leg; example: hip extension while walking uphill
Origin: Lateral condyle and superior lateral surface of tibia, interosseous membrane
Insertion: Medial cuneiform and base of metatarsal 1
Example movement: Dorsiflexes and inverts foot; example: lifting foot during swing phase
Origin: Head and superior two-thirds of lateral fibula
Insertion: Base of metatarsal 1 and medial cuneiform
Example movement: Everts and plantarflexes foot; example: pushing off while keeping foot everted
Origin: Lateral and medial femoral condyles
Insertion: Posterior calcaneus via calcaneal tendon
Example movement: Plantarflexes foot and flexes knee; example: tiptoe standing or jumping
Origin: Posterior head and proximal shaft of fibula, soleal line of tibia
Insertion: Posterior calcaneus via calcaneal tendon
Example movement: Plantarflexes foot; example: maintaining posture while standing
Origin: Broad tendon from posterior iliac crest, sacrum, sacroiliac ligaments, sacral and inferior lumbar spinous processes
Insertion: Angles of ribs, transverse and spinous processes of cervical/thoracic vertebrae, mastoid process depending on column
Example movement: Extends and laterally flexes vertebral column; example: straightening up from bending forward
Origin: Sacrum, PSIS, mammillary processes, transverse processes T1-T3, articular processes C4-C7
Insertion: Spinous processes 2-4 segments above
Example movement: Stabilizes vertebrae and assists extension/rotation; example: segmental spinal stabilization during lifting
Origin: Iliac crest and iliolumbar ligament
Insertion: Inferior border of rib 12 and transverse processes L1-L4
Example movement: Extends and laterally flexes vertebral column; fixes 12th rib; example: hip hiking
Origin: Spinous processes T6-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, inferior 3-4 ribs
Insertion: Floor of intertubercular sulcus of humerus
Example movement: Extends, adducts, and medially rotates arm; example: pull-up
Origin: Pubic symphysis and pubic crest
Insertion: Xiphoid process and costal cartilages 5-7
Example movement: Flexes trunk and compresses abdominal viscera; example: sit-up
Origin: External surfaces of ribs 5-12
Insertion: Linea alba, pubic tubercle, anterior half of iliac crest
Example movement: Compresses abdomen; flexes and contralaterally rotates trunk; example: twisting torso to opposite side
Origin: Thoracolumbar fascia, anterior two-thirds iliac crest, lateral half inguinal ligament
Insertion: Inferior borders ribs 10-12, linea alba, pecten pubis via conjoint tendon
Example movement: Compresses abdomen; flexes and ipsilaterally rotates trunk; example: twisting torso to same side
Origin: Internal surfaces costal cartilages 7-12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, lateral third inguinal ligament
Insertion: Linea alba, pubic crest, pecten pubis via conjoint tendon
Example movement: Compresses and supports abdominal contents; example: bracing the core before lifting
Origin: Xiphoid process, inner surfaces lower six ribs/costal cartilages, lumbar vertebrae via crura
Insertion: Central tendon
Example movement: Principal muscle of inspiration; example: inhaling deeply
Origin: Body of pubis, tendinous arch of obturator fascia, ischial spine
Insertion: Perineal body, walls of prostate/vagina, anal canal, coccyx
Example movement: Supports pelvic viscera and resists increases in intra-abdominal pressure; example: maintaining continence and core support during coughing