Table of muscles of the human body

Overview
This is a table of muscles of the human anatomy. There are approximately 640 skeletal muscles within the typical human. However, the exact number is difficult to define because different sources group muscles differently. This table includes approximately 320 muscles.

The action refers to the action of each muscle from the standard anatomical position. In other positions, other actions may be performed.

extraocular
Rectus:
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|- | 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 || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

Oblique:
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|- | 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 || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

Nose

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|- | 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
 * }

Mouth
Zygomaticus:
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|- | major || anterior of zygomatic || modiolus of mouth || facial artery || buccal branch of 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
 * }

Mastication
Pterygoid:
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|- | lateral || Great wing of sphenoid and pterygoid plate || Condyle of mandible || pterygoid branches of maxillary artery || external pterygoid nerve from the mandibular nerve || depresses mandible || |- | 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 || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

Pharynx
Pharyngeal constrictor:
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|- | 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 raphé, alveolar process || pharyngeal raphe, pharyngeal tubercle || || Vagus nerve || Swallowing || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

Larynx
Cricoarytenoid:
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|- | 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
 * }

LATERAL

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|- | anterior || C3-C6 || first rib || Ascending cervical artery (branch of Inferior thyroid artery) || ventral ramus of C5, C6 || || |- | medius || C2-C6 || first rib || Ascending cervical artery (branch of Inferior thyroid artery) || Ventral rami of the third to eighth cervical spinal nerves || Elevate 1st rib, rotate the neck to the opposite side || |- | posterior || transverse processes of C4 - C6 || 2nd rib || Ascending cervical artery, superficial cervical artery || C6 - C8 || Elevate 2nd rib, tilt the neck to the same side || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

BACK
splenius:


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|- | capitis || Ligamentum nuchae, spinous process of C7-T6 || Mastoid process of temporal and occipital bone || || C3, C4 || Extend, rotate, and laterally flex the head || |- | cervicis || spinous processes of T3-T6 || transverse processes of C1-C3 || || C5, C6 || || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }


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|- | iliocostalis || || lateral sacral artery || || || || |- | longissimus ||transverse process || transverse process || lateral sacral artery || posterior branch of spinal nerve || || Rectus abdominis muscle |- | spinalis || spinous process || spinous process || lateral sacral artery || posterior branch of spinal nerve || || Rectus abdominis muscle |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }


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|- | semispinalis dorsi || transverse processes of the sixth to the tenth thoracic vertebræ || spinous processes of the upper four thoracic and lower two cervical vertebrae || || || || |- | semispinalis cervicis || transverse processes of the upper five or six thoracic vertebræ || cervical spinous processes, from the axis to the fifth || || || || |- | Semispinalis capitis || Transversal process of lower cervical and higher thoracal columna || Area between superior and inferior nuchal line || || Greater occipital nerve || Extend the head || |- | multifidus || Sacrum, Erector spinae Aponeurosis, PSIS, and Iliac crest || spinous process || || Posterior branches || Stabilizes vertebrae in local movements of vertebral column || |- | rotatores || transverse process || spinous process || || posterior branch || || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

SUBOCCIPITAL
rectus capitis posterior:


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|- | major || Spinous process of the axis (C2) || Inferior nucheal line of the occipital bone || || Dorsal ramus of C1 (suboccipital nerve) || || |- | minor || the tubercle on the posterior arch of the atlas || the medial part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone and the surface between it and the foramen magnum || || a branch of the dorsal primary division of the suboccipital nerve || extends the head at the neck, but is now considered to be more of a sensory organ than a muscle || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

obliquus capitis:
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|- | inferior || spinous process of the axis || lateral mass of atlas || || suboccipital nerve || || |- | superior || lateral mass of atlas || lateral half of the inferior nuchal line || || suboccipital nerve || || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

CHEST

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|- | internal || || || intercostal arteries || intercostal nerves || Inhalation || internal |- | internal || rib - inferior border || rib - superior border || intercostal arteries || intercostal nerves || hold ribs steady || internal |- | innermost || || || intercostal arteries || intercostal nerves || || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

serratus posterior:
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|- | inferior || vertebrae T11 - L3 || the inferior borders of the 9th through 12th ribs || intercostal arteries || intercostal nerves || depress the lower ribs, aiding in expiration || |- | superior || nuchal ligament (or ligamentum nuchae) and the spinous processes of the vertebrae C7 through T3 || the upper borders of the 2nd through 5th ribs || intercostal arteries || 2nd through 5th intercostal nerves || elevate the ribs which aids in inspiration || |- | diaphragm || || || Pericardiacophrenic artery, Musculophrenic artery, Inferior phrenic arteries || phrenic and lower intercostal nerves || respiration || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

ABDOMEN
obliques:


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|- | external || Lower 8 costae || Crista iliaca, ligamentum inguinale || || lower 6 intercostal nerve, subcostal nerve || Rotates torso || |- | internal || Inguinal ligament, Iliac crest and the Lumbodorsal fascia || Linea alba, Xiphoid process and the inferior ribs. || || || Compresses abdomen and rotates vertebral column. || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

PELVIS
levator ani:


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|- | iliococcygeus || ischial spine and from the posterior part of the tendinous arch of the pelvic fascia || coccyx and anococcygeal raphé || || || supports the viscera in pelvic cavity || |- | pubococcygeus || back of the pubis and from the anterior part of the obturator fascia || coccyx and sacrum || || || controls urine flow and contracts during orgasm || |- | puborectalis || lower part of the symphysis pubis || || S3, S4. levator ani nerve || || inhibit defecation || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

PERINEUM
sphincter ani:
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|- | externus || || || || branch from the fourth sacral and twigs from the inferior hemorrhoidal branch of the pudendal nerve || keep the anal canal and orifice closed, aids in the expulsion of the feces || |- | internus || || || || pudendal nerve || keep the anal canal and orifice closed, aids in the expulsion of the feces || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

superficial perineal pouch:
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|- | transversus perinei superficialis || anterior part of ischial tuberosity || central point of perineum || || pudendal nerve || || |- | bulbospongiosus || Median raphé || || Perineal artery || pudendal nerve || in males, empties the urethra; in females, clenches the vagina || |- | ischiocavernosus || || || Perineal artery || pudendal nerve || assists the bulbospongiosus muscle || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

deep perineal pouch:
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|- | transversus perinei profundus || inferior rami of the ischium || its fellow of the opposite side || pudendal nerve || || || |- | sphincter urethrae membranaceae || junction of the inferior rami of the pubis and ischium to the extent of 1.25 to 2 cm., and from the neighboring fasciæ || its fellow of the opposite side || || perineal branch of the pudendal nerve (S2,3,4) || Constricts urethra, maintain urinary continence || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

VERTEBRAL COLUMN

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|- | 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 |- | minor || nuchal ligaments and spinous processes of C7 to T1 vertebrae || 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
 * }

SHOULDER

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|- | supraspinatus || supraspinous fossa of scapula || superior facet of greater tubercle of humerus || suprascapular artery || suprascapular nerve || abduction of arm and stabilizes humerus || |- | infraspinatus || infraspinous fossa of the scapula || middle facet of greater tubercle of the humerus || suprascapular and circumflex scapular arteries || suprascapular nerve || Lateral rotation of arm & Adduction of arm and stabilizes humerus || |- | teres minor || lateral border of the scapula || inferior facet of greater tubercle of the humerus || lateral circumflex humeral artery and the circumflex scapular artery || axillary nerve || laterally rotates and adducts the arm || |- | subscapularis || subscapular fossa || lesser tubercle of humerus || subscapular artery || upper subscapular nerve, lower subscapular nerve (C5, C6) || rotates medially humerus; stabilizes shoulder || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

Superficial

 * mobile wad:
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|- | brachioradialis || Lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus || Distal radius (Radial styloid process) || radial recurrent artery || radial nerve || Flexion of forearm || |- | extensor carpi radialis longus || lateral supracondylar ridge || 2nd metacarpal || radial artery || radial nerve || extensor at the wrist joint, abducts the hand at the wrist || Flexor carpi radialis muscle |- | brevis || humerus at the anterior of lateral epicondyle (common extensor tendon) || base of the 3rd metacarpal || radial artery || deep branch of the radial nerve || extensor and abductor of the hand at the wrist joint || Flexor carpi radialis muscle |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

Deep

 * anatomical snuff box:
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|- | abductor pollicis longus || ulna, radial styloid process || first metacarpal || || Posterior interosseous nerve || abduction, extension of thumb || Adductor pollicis muscle |- | extensor pollicis brevis || radius || thumb, proximal phalanx || posterior interosseous artery || posterior interosseous nerve || extension of thumb at metacarpophalangeal joint || Flexor pollicis longus muscle, Flexor pollicis brevis muscle |- | extensor pollicis longus || ulna || thumb, distal phalanx || || posterior interosseus nerve (branching from the radial nerve) || extension of the thumb (metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal) || Flexor pollicis longus muscle, Flexor pollicis brevis muscle |- |}
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist

Medial volar
hypothenar :
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|- | abductor minimi digiti || pisiform || base of the proximal phalanx of the 5th digit on the ulnar or medial side || ulnar artery || deep branch of ulnar nerve || Abduction of little finger || |- | flexor digiti minimi brevis || hamate bone || little finger || ulnar artery || deep branch of ulnar nerve || flexes little finger || Extensor digiti minimi muscle |- | opponens digiti minimi || Hook of hamate and flexor retinaculum || Medial border of 5th metacarpal || ulnar artery || deep branch of ulnar nerve (C8 and T1) || Draws 5th metacarpal anteriorly and rotates it, bringing little finger (5th digit) into opposition with thumb || |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

ILIAC REGION

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|- | psoas major || lower spine || in the lesser trochanter of the femur || Iliolumbar artery || Lumbar plexus via anterior branches of L2-L4 nerves || flexes and rotates laterally thigh || Gluteus maximus |- | psoas minor || Side of T12+L1 and IV Disc between || Pectineal line and iliopectineal eminence || || L1 || Weak trunk flexor || Gluteus maximus |- | iliacus || iliac fossa || lesser trochanter of femur || medial femoral circumflex artery, Iliolumbar artery || femoral nerve || flexes and rotates laterally thigh || Gluteus maximus |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

BUTTOCKS

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|- | gluteus maximus muscle || Gluteal surface of ilium, lumbar fascia, sacrum, sacrotuberous ligament || Gluteal tuberosity of the femur, iliotibial tract || superior and inferior gluteal arteries || inferior gluteal nerve (L5, S1, S2 nerve roots) || external rotation and extension of the hip joint, supports the extended knee through the iliotibial tract, chief antigravity muscle in sitting || Iliacus, Psoas major, Psoas minor |- | gluteus medius muscle || Gluteal surface of ilium, under gluteus maximus || Greater trochanter of the femur || superior gluteal artery || superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1 nerve roots) || abduction of the hip; preventing adduction of the hip. Medial rotation of thigh. || lateral rotator group |- | minimus || Gluteal surface of ilium, under gluteus medius. || Greater trochanter of the femur || superior gluteal artery || superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1 nerve roots) || Works in concert with gluteus medius: abduction of the hip; preventing adduction of the hip. Medial rotation of thigh. || lateral rotator group |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }


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|- | piriformis || sacrum || greater trochanter || Inferior gluteal artery, Lateral sacral artery, Superior gluteal artery || nerve to the Piriformis (L5, S1, and S2 nerve roots) || rotate laterally (outward) the thigh || |- | obturator externus || obturator foramen and obturatory membrane || medial aspect of greater trochanter of femur || obturator artery || posterior branch of obturator nerve (third and fourth lumbar nerves) || adduct thigh, rotate laterally thigh || |- | obturator internus || Ischiopubic ramus & obturator membrane || medial aspect of the Greater trochanter || || Nerve to obturator internus (L5, S2) || Abducts & rotates laterally thigh, and stabiliser of the hip during walking || |- | inferior gemellus || Ischial tuberosity || Obturator internus tendon || || Nerve to Quadratus femoris (L4-S1) || Rotates laterally thigh || |- | superior gemellus || spine of the ischium || Obturator internus tendon || || Sacral plexus (S1, S2, S3) || Rotates laterally thigh || |- | quadratus femoris || Ischial tuberosity || Intertrochanteric crest || Inferior gluteal artery || Nerve to quadratus femoris (L4-S1) || lateral rotation of thigh || |-
 * }

anterior compartment

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|- | rectus femoris || anterior inferior iliac spine and the exterior surface of the bony ridge which forms the iliac portion of the acetabulum || Patella and Tibial tuberosity via the Patellar ligament || femoral artery || femoral nerve || knee extension; hip flexion || Hamstring |- | vastus lateralis || Greater trochanter, Intertrochanteric line, and Linea aspera of the Femur || Patella and Tibial tuberosity via the Patellar ligament || femoral artery || femoral nerve || Extends and stabilizes knee || Hamstring |- | vastus intermedius || antero/ lateral femur || Patella and Tibial tuberosity via the Patellar ligament || femoral artery || femoral nerve || extends leg || Hamstring |- | vastus medialis || femur || Patella and Tibial tuberosity via the Patellar ligament || femoral artery || femoral nerve || extends leg || Hamstring |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

medial compartment

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|- | gracilis || ischiopubic ramus || tibia (pes anserinus) || obturator artery || anterior branch of obturator nerve || flexes hip, knee || |- | pectineus || Pubis - superior ramus || Lesser trochanter, linea aspera || Obturator artery || Femoral nerve, sometimes obturator nerve || Thigh - flexion, adduction, medial rotation || |- | adductor brevis || anterior surface of the inferior ramus and body of the pubis || the lesser trochanter and linea aspera of the femur ||Obturator artery || obturator nerve || adduction of hip || |- | adductor longus || pubic body just below the pubic crest || middle third of linea aspera || obturator artery || anterior branch of obturator nerve || adduction of thigh || |- | adductor magnus || pubis, tuberosity of the ischium || femur || Obturator artery || posterior branch of obturator nerve (adductor) and sciatic nerve (hamstring) || adduction of hip ||
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

Superficial

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|- | gastrocnemius || femur || calcaneus || sural arteries || tibial nerve from the sciatic, specifically, nerve roots S1–S2 || plantarflexion, flexion of knee (minor) || Tibialis anterior muscle |- | soleus || fibula, medial border of tibia (soleal line) || tendo calcaneus ||sural arteries || tibial nerve, specifically, nerve roots L5–S2 || plantarflexion || Tibialis anterior muscle
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

Deep
tarsal tunnel:
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|- | flexor hallucis longus || fibula, posterior aspect of upper 1/3 || base of distal phalanx of hallux || Peroneal artery (peroneal branch of the posterior tibial artery || tibial nerve, S1 & S2 nerve roots || flexes all joints of the big toe, plantar flexion of the ankle joint || Extensor hallucis longus muscle  |-  | flexor digitorum longus || || || posterior tibial artery || Tibial nerve || Primary action is Flex digits || Extensor digitorum longus, Extensor digitorum brevis  |-  | tibialis posterior || tibia, fibula || navicular, medial cuneiform || posterior tibial artery || tibial nerve || inversion of the foot, plantar flexion of the foot at the ankle || Tibialis anterior muscle |-
 * Muscle || Origin || Insertion || Artery || Nerve || Action || Antagonist
 * }

lateral compartment
fibularis muscles: