There are approximately 640 skeletal muscles within the typical human, and almost every muscle constitutes one part of a pair of identical bilateral muscles, found on both sides, resulting in approximately 320 pairs of muscles, as presented in this article. Nevertheless, the exact number is difficult to define because different sources group muscles differently, e.g. regarding what is defined as different parts of a single muscle or as several muscles. Examples range from 640 to 850[1].
The action refers to the action of each muscle from the standard anatomical position. In other positions, other actions may be performed.
superior nuchal line of the occipital bone mastoid part of the Template:Dn
galea aponeurotica
occipital artery
posterior auricular nerve (facial nerve)
wrinkles eyebrow
frontalis
galea aponeurotica
Mastoid process
ophthalmic artery
facial nerve
wrinkles eyebrow
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
orbicularis oculi
frontal bone; medial palpebral ligament; lacrimal bone
lateral palpebral raphe
ophthalmic, zygomatico-orbital, angular
zygomatic branch of facial
closes eyelids
levator palpebrae superioris
corrugator supercilii
superciliary arches
forehead skin, near eyebrow
facial nerve
wrinkles forehead
depressor supercilii
Medial orbital rim
Medial aspect of bony orbit
facial nerve
Depression of eyebrow
Extraocular muscles[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
levator palpebrae superioris
sphenoid bone
tarsal plate, upper eyelid
ophthalmic artery
oculomotor nerve
retracts//elevateseyelid
orbicularis oculi muscle
superior tarsal
underside of levator palpebrae superioris
superior tarsal plate of the eyelid
ophthalmic artery
sympathetic nervous system
raise the upper eyelid
Rectus:
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
superior
annulus of Zinn at the orbital apex
7.5 mm superior to the corneal limbus
oculomotor nerve
elevates, adducts, and rotates medially the eye
inferior
annulus of Zinn at the orbital apex
6.5 mm inferior to the corneal limbus
inferior branch of oculomotor nerve
depression and adduction
medial
annulus of Zinn at the orbital apex
5.5 mm medial to the corneal limbus
inferior division of the oculomotor nerve
adducts the eyeball
lateral
annulus of Zinn at the orbital apex
7 mm temporal to the corneal limbus
abducens nerve
abducts the eyeball
Oblique:
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
superior
annulus of Zinn at the orbital apex, medial to optic canal
Outer posterior quadrant of the eyeball
lateral muscular branch of the ophthalmic artery
trochlear nerve
primary: intorsion. secondary:abduct (laterally rotate) and depress the eyeball
inferior
orbital surface of the maxilla, lateral to the lacrimal groove
laterally onto the eyeball, deep to the lateral rectus, by a short flat tendon
oculomotor nerve
extorsion, elevation, abduction
Intraocular[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
ciliary
oculomotor nerve (parasympathetics)
accommodation
iris dilator
superior cervical ganglion (sympathetics)
pupil dilation
iris sphincter muscle
iris sphincter
short ciliary nerves
constricts pupil
iris dilator muscle
Ear[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
auriculares
galeal aponeurosis
front of the helix, cranial surface of the pinna
facial nerve
(Wiggle ears)
temporoparietalis
Auriculares muscles
galea aponeurotica
stapedius
neck of stapes
facial nerve
control the amplitude of sound waves to the inner ear
tensor tympani
Eustachian tube
handle of the malleus
superior tympanic artery
medial pterygoid nerve from mandibular nerve
tensing the tympanic membrane
Nose[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
procerus
From fascia over the lower of the nasal bone
skin of the lower part of the forehead between the eyebrows
Buccal branch of the facial nerve
Draws down the medial angle of the eyebrow giving expressions of frowning
nasalis
Maxilla
Nasal bone
Buccal branch of the facial nerve
Compresses bridge, depresses tip of nose, elevates corners of nostrils
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
dilatator naris
margin of the nasal notch of the maxilla, greater andlesser alar cartilages
skin near the margin of the nostril
Buccal branch of the facial nerve
Dilation of nostrils
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
depressor septi nasi
incisive fossa of the maxilla
nasal septum and back part of the alar part of nasalis muscle
Buccal branch of the facial nerve
Depression of nasal septum
levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
maxilla
nostril and upper lip
buccal branch of the facial nerve
Template:Dn the nostril; elevates the upper lip and wing of the nose
Mouth[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
levator anguli oris
maxilla
modiolus of mouth
facial artery
facial nerve
smile (elevates angle of mouth)
depressor anguli oris
tubercle of mandible
modiolus of mouth
facial artery
mandibular branch of facial nerve
depresses angle of mouth
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
levator labii superioris
Medial infra-orbital margin
Skin and muscle of the upper lip (labii superioris)
facial artery
buccal branch of the facial nerve
Elevates the upper lip
depressor labii inferioris
oblique line of the mandible, between the symphysis and the mental foramen
integument of the lower lip, Orbicularis oris fibers, its fellow of the opposite side
facial nerve
depress the lower lip
Zygomaticus:
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
major
anterior of Template:Dn
modiolus of mouth
facial artery
buccal branch of the facial nerve
draws angle of mouth upward and laterally
minor
zygomatic bone
skin of the upper lip
facial artery
facial nerve, buccal branch
elevates upper lip
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
mentalis
anteriormandible
chin
mandibular branch of facial nerve
elevates and wrinkles skin of chin, protrudes lower lip
buccinator
alveolar processes of the maxillary bone and mandible, pterygomandibular raphe
in the fibres of the orbicularis oris
buccal artery
buccal branch of the facial nerve
compress the cheeks against the teeth (blowing), mastication.
orbicularis oris
Maxilla and mandible
Skin around the lips
buccal branch of the facial nerve
pucker the lips
risorius
parotidfascia
modiolus
facial artery
Buccal branch of the facial nerve
draw back angle of mouth
Mastication[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
masseter
zygomatic arch and maxilla
coronoid process and ramus of mandible
masseteric artery
masseteric nerve (V3)
elevation (as in closing of the mouth) and retraction of mandible
Platysma muscle
temporalis
temporal lines on the parietal bone of the skull
coronoid process of the mandible
deep temporal
third branch (mandibular nerve) of the trigeminal nerve
elevation and retraction of mandible
Platysma muscle
Pterygoid:
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
lateral
Great wing of sphenoid and pterygoid plate
Condyle of mandible
pterygoid branches of maxillary artery
external pterygoid nerve from the mandibular nerve
depressesmandible
medial
deep head: medial side of lateral pterygoid plate behind the upper teeth superficial head:pyramidal process of palatine bone and maxillary tuberosity
medial angle of the mandible
pterygoid branches of maxillary artery
mandibular nerve via nerve to medial pterygoid
elevates mandible, closes jaw, helps lateral pterygoids in moving the jaw from side to side
Tongue[]
Extrinsic[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
genioglossus
Superior part of mental spine of mandible (symphysis menti)
Dorsum of tongue and body of hyoid
Lingual artery
hypoglossal nerve
Complex - Inferior fibers protrude the tongue, middle fibers depress the tongue, and its superior fibers draw the tip back and down
hyoglossus
hyoid
side of the tongue
hypoglossal nerve
chondroglossus
lesser cornu and body of the hyoid bone
intrinsic muscular fibers of the tongue
hypoglossal nerve
styloglossus
Styloid process of temporal bone
tongue
Hypoglossal nerve
Intrinsic[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
superior longitudinal
close to the epiglottis, from the median fibrous septum
edges of the tongue
hypoglossal nerve
inferior longitudinal
root of the tongue
apex of the tongue
Hypoglossal nerve
transversus
median fibrous septum
sides of the tongue
hypoglossal nerve
Soft palate[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
levator veli palatini
temporal bone, Eustachian tube
palatine aponeurosis
facial artery
vagus nerve
elevates soft palate
tensor veli palatini
medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone
palatine aponeurosis
medial pterygoid of mandibular nerve
tension of the soft palate
musculus uvulae
hard palate
palatine aponeurosis
Template:Dn
palatoglossus
palatine aponeurosis
tongue
vagus nerve and cranial accessory nerve
raising the back part of the tongue
palatopharyngeus
palatine aponeurosis and hard palate
Upper border of thyroid cartilage (blends with constrictor fibers)
Facial artery
vagus nerve and cranial accessory nerve
pulls pharynx and larynx
Pharynx[]
Pharyngeal constrictor:
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
inferior
cricoid and thyroid cartilage
pharyngeal raphe
external laryngeal branch of the vagus
Swallowing
middle
hyoid bone
pharyngeal raphe
Vagus nerve
Swallowing
superior
medial pterygoid plate, pterygomandibular raphรฉ, alveolar process
pharyngeal raphe, pharyngeal tubercle
Vagus nerve
Swallowing
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
stylopharyngeus
Styloid process (temporal)
thyroid cartilage (pharynx)
glossopharyngeal nerve
elevate the larynx, elevate the pharynx, swallowing
salpingopharyngeus
cartilage of the Eustachian tube
posterior Template:Dn of the pharyngopalatinus muscle
vagus nerve and cranial accessory nerve
raise the nasopharynx
Larynx[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
cricothyroid
Anterior and lateral cricoid cartilage
Inferior cornu and lamina of the thyroid cartilage
external laryngeal branch of the vagus
tension and elongation of the vocal folds (has minor adductory effect)
Cricoarytenoid:
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
posterior
posterior part of the cricoid
muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage
recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus
abducts and laterally rotates the cartilage, pulling the vocal ligaments away from the midline and forward and so opening the rima glottidis
Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
lateral
lateral part of the arch of the cricoid
muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage
recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus
adduct and medially rotate the cartilage, pulling the vocal ligaments towards the midline and backwards and so closing off the rima glottidis
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
arytenoid
Arytenoid cartilage on one side
Arytenoid cartilage on opposite side
recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus
approximate the arytenoid cartilages (close rima glottidis)
thyroarytenoid
Inner surface of the thyroid cartilage (anterior aspect)
Anterior surface of arytenoid cartilage
recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus
thickens the vocal folds and decreases length; also helps helps to adduct the vocal folds during speech
Muscles of head and neck: the neck[]
Cervical[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
platysma
inferior clavicle and fascia of chest
mandible
cervical branch of the facial nerve (CN VII)
Draws the corners of the mouthinferiorly and widens it (as in expressions of sadness and fright). Also draws the skin of the neckTemplate:Dn when teeth are clenched
Masseter, Temporalis
sternocleidomastoid
manubrium sterni, medial portion of the clavicle
mastoid process of the temporal bone, superior nuchal line
occipital artery and the superior thyroid artery
motor: accessory nerve sensory: cervical plexus
Acting alone, tilts head to its own side and rotates it so the face is turned towards the opposite side.
Acting together, flexes the neck, raises the sternum and assists in forced inspiration. ||
Suprahyoid[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
digastric
anterior belly - digastric fossa (mandible); posterior belly - mastoid process of temporal bone
Intermediate tendon (hyoid bone)
anterior belly - mandibular division of the trigeminal (CN V) via the mylohyoid nerve; posterior belly - facial nerve (CN VII)
Opens the jaw when the masseter and the temporalis are relaxed.
stylohyoid
styloid process (temporal)
greater cornu of hyoid bone
facial nerve (CN VII)
Elevate the hyoid during swallowing
mylohyoid
Mylohyoid line (mandible)
Template:Dn
mylohyoid branch of inferior alveolar artery
mylohyoid nerve, from inferior alveolar branch of mandibular nerve [V3]
closing in the back part of the outlet of the pelvis
Perineum[]
sphincter ani:
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
externus
S4 and twigs from inferior anal nerves of pudendal nerve
keep the anal canal and anus closed, aids in the expulsion of the feces
internus
pudendal nerve
keep the anal canal and anus closed, aids in the expulsion of the feces
superficial perineal pouch:
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
transversus perinei superficialis
anterior part of ischial tuberosity
central point of perineum
pudendal nerve
bulbospongiosus
Template:Dn
Perineal artery
pudendal nerve
in males, empties the urethra; in females, clenches the vagina
ischiocavernosus
Perineal artery
pudendal nerve
assists the bulbospongiosus muscle
deep perineal pouch:
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
transversus perinei profundus
inferior rami of the ischium
its fellow of the opposite side
pudendal nerve
sphincter urethrae membranaceae
junction of the inferior Template:Dn of the pubis and ischium to the extent of 1.25 to 2 cm., and from the neighboring fasciรฆ
its fellow of the opposite side
perineal branch of the pudendal nerve (S2, S3, S4)
Constricts urethra, maintain urinary continence
Muscles of upper limbs[]
Vertebral column[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
trapezius
down the midline, from the external occipital protuberance, the nuchal ligament, the medial part of the superior nuchal line, and the spinous processes of the vertebrae C7-T12
at the shoulders, into the lateral third of the clavicle, the acromion process and into the spine of the scapula
transverse cervical artery
major nerve supply is the cranial nerve XI. CervicalnervesC3 and C4 receive information about pain in this muscle
retraction of scapula
Serratus anterior muscle
latissimus dorsi
spinous processes of thoracicT6-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest and inferior 3 or 4 ribs
floor of intertubercular groove of the humerus
subscapular artery, dorsal scapular artery
thoracodorsal nerve
pulls the forelimbdorsally and caudally
deltoid, trapezius
rhomboids
nuchal ligaments, spinous processes of C7-T5 vertebrae
medial border of the scapula
dorsal scapular artery
dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)
Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall.
Serratus anterior muscle
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
rhomboid major
spinous processes of the T2 to T5 vertebrae
medial border of the scapula, inferior to the insertion of rhomboid minor muscle
dorsal scapular artery
dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)
Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. It also fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall.
Serratus anterior muscle
rhomboid minor
nuchal ligaments and spinous processes of C7- to T1vertebrae
medial border of the scapula, superior to the insertion of rhomboid major muscle
dorsal scapular artery
dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)
Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. It also fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall.
Serratus anterior muscle
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
levator scapulae
Posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1 - C4 vertebrae
Superior part of medial border of scapula
dorsal scapular artery
cervical nerve (C3, C4) and dorsal scapular nerve (C5)
Elevatesscapula and tilts its glenoid cavity inferiorly by rotating scapula
Thoracic walls[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
pectoralis major
anterior surface of the medial half of the clavicle. Sternocostal head: anterior surface of the sternum, the superior six costal cartilages
intertubercular groove of the humerus
pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial trunk
lateral pectoral nerve and medial pectoral nerve Clavicular head: C5 and C6 Sternocostal head: C7, C8 and T1
Clavicular head: flexes the humerus Sternocostal head: extends the humerus As a whole, adducts and medially rotates the humerus. It also draws the scapula anteriorly and inferiorly.
pectoralis minor
3rd to 5th ribs, near their costal cartilages
medial border and superior surface of the coracoid process of the scapula
Pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial trunk
Medial pectoral nerves (C8, T1)
stabilizes the scapula by drawing it inferiorly and anteriorly against the thoracic wall
subclavius
first rib
subclavian groove of clavicle
thoracoacromial artery, clavicular branch
nerve to subclavius
depression ofclavicle
serratus anterior
fleshy slips from the outer surface of upper 8 or 9 ribs
medial epicondyle of the humerus (common flexor tendon)
pisiform
ulnar artery
muscular branches of ulnar nerve
flexion of wrist
Extensor carpi ulnaris muscle
flexor digitorum superficialis
medial epicondyle of the humerus (common flexor tendon), as well as parts of the radius and ulna.
phalanges
ulnar artery
median nerve
flexor of fingers (primarily at proximal interphalangeal joints)
Extensor digitorum muscle
Deep[]
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Artery
Nerve
Action
Antagonist
pronator quadratus
medial, anterior surface of the ulna
lateral, anterior surface of the radius
anterior interosseous artery
median nerve (anterior interosseous nerve)
pronates the forearm
Supinator muscle
flexor digitorum profundus
ulna
distal phalanges
anterior interosseous artery
median (anterior interosseous), muscular branches of ulnar
flex hand, interphalangeal joints
Extensor digitorum muscle
flexor pollicis longus
The middle 2/4 of the Template:Dn surface of the radius and the adjacent interosseus membrane. (Also occasionally a small origin slightly on the medial epicondyle of the ulna.)
The base of the distal phalanx of the thumb
Anterior interosseous artery
Anterior interosseous nerve (branch of median nerve) (C8, T1)
Transverse carpal ligament, the scaphoid and trapezium
Radial base of proximal phalanx of thumb and the Template:Dns
Median nerve
Abduction of thumb
Adductor pollicis muscle
adductor pollicis
Transverse head: anterior body of the third metacarpal Oblique head: bases of the second and the third metacarpals and the adjacent trapezoid and capitate bones
medial side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb and the ulnar sesamoid