Major Muscles of the Human Body

Jul 15, 2024

Major Muscles of the Human Body

Overview

  • The muscles work with bones to facilitate movement
  • Over 600 muscles in the human body

Major Muscles Covered

Pectoralis Major

  • Thick, fan-shaped muscle at the chest

Biceps

  • Located on the front of the upper arm
  • Functions: Flex and twist the forearm

Abdominal Muscles

  • Support the trunk
  • Allow movement
  • Hold organs in place

Sartorius

  • Longest muscle in the human body
  • Runs down the length of the thigh
  • Helps in crossing legs

Abductor Muscle Group

  • Located on the lateral side of the thigh
  • Moves the thigh away from the body’s midline

Trapezius

  • Trapezoid or diamond-shaped
  • Supports weight of the arm
  • Moves shoulder

Deltoid

  • Forms the rounded shape of the shoulder
  • Prime mover of the arm

Latissimus Dorsi

  • Largest muscle in the upper body
  • Functions: Extension, abduction, and rotation of the shoulder

Serratus Anterior

  • Originates on the 1st to the 8th ribs
  • Pulls scapula forward and around thorax

External Oblique

  • Pulls chest downward
  • Compresses abdominal cavity
  • Aids in side bending and rotating

Brachioradialis

  • Located in the forearm
  • Flexes forearm at the elbow

Finger Extensors

  • 9 extensor muscles on the posterior side of the forearm
  • Extend hand and fingers

Finger Flexors

  • Help in closing the hand

Quadriceps

  • Group of four muscles at the front of the thigh
  • Great extensor muscles of the knee

Hamstrings

  • Group of three muscles between the hip and the knee
  • Act upon hip and knee joints

Gastrocnemius

  • Forms half of the calf muscle
  • Flexes the foot at the ankle joint and leg at the knee joint

Tibialis Anterior

  • Flexes the foot backward
  • Inverts the foot

Soleus

  • Powerful muscle of the calf
  • Involved in standing and walking

Infraspinatus

  • Thick, triangular muscle in the rotator cuff
  • Rotates humerus and stabilizes shoulder

Teres Major

  • Helps rotate the humerus
  • Assists latissimus dorsi in drawing humerus downwards and backwards

Triceps

  • Large muscle at the back of the upper arm
  • Responsible for straightening the arm

Gluteus Medius

  • Assists in hip movement
  • Stabilizes pelvis during balancing activities

Gluteus Maximus

  • Main extensor muscle of the hip
  • Active during standing up, running, and ascending stairs

Conclusion

  • Overview of major muscles completed
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