Muscle Naming Tutorial

Introduction

• Memorizing names of muscles can be challenging
• Muscle names often derived from:
  • Appearance
  • Location
  • Size
  • Attachments
• Knowing Latin and Greek helps
• Learning naming conventions aids memory

Muscle Naming Criteria

1. Shape

   • Deltoid Muscle: Triangular; named after Greek letter delta (Δ)
   • Orbicularis Oculi Muscle: Circular; orbicularis means circular in Latin
   • Orbicularis Oris Muscle: Circular; around the lips
   • Rhomboid Muscles: Parallelogram-shaped; named from Greek word rhombus
   • Platysma Muscle: Flat and wide; from Greek 'platous'
   • Serratus Anterior Muscle: Saw-like anterior attachments; 'serrare' means saw in Latin

2. Size

   • Vastus Muscles: Large muscles of the thigh; 'vastus' means great in Latin
   • Pectoralis Major: Larger chest muscle
   • Pectoralis Minor: Smaller chest muscle
   • Gluteus Maximus: Largest gluteal muscle; 'maximus' means largest in Latin
   • Gluteus Minimus: Smallest gluteal muscle; 'minimus' means least in Latin
   • Flexor Digiti Minimi: Flexes the little finger; 'minimi' meaning smallest
   • Longus Muscles: Long muscles e.g., Longus Capitis
   • Brevis Muscles: Short muscles e.g., Abductor Pollicis Brevis

3. Orientation of Fibres

   • Transverse: Fibres run perpendicular to midline e.g., Transverse Muscle of the Tongue
   • Oblique: Fibres run diagonally e.g., External Abdominal Oblique
   • Rectus: Fibres run parallel to midline e.g., Rectus Abdominis
   • Superior Rectus Muscle: Controls eye movement; fibres run straight (from Latin 'rectus' meaning straight)

4. Action

   • Flexors/Extensors: Flexor Hallucis Brevis, Extensor Digiti Minimi
   • Supinators/Pronators: Supinator Muscle, Pronator Teres
   • Adductors/Abductors: Adductor Pollicis
   • Sphincters: Pyloric Sphincter
   • Other Examples: Rosarius Muscle (smiling)

5. Number of Attachments

   • Biceps Brachii: Two heads; 'bi' meaning two, 'ceps' from 'cephalos' meaning head
   • Triceps Brachii: Three heads
   • Quadriceps Femoris: Four heads

6. Attachments and Points of Origin

   • Sternohyoid Muscle: Extends from sternum to hyoid bone

7. Location

   • Tibialis Anterior: Located over the tibia bone
   • Positional Naming: Inferior, superior, medial, intermediate, lateral
     • Examples: Vastus Medialis, Vastus Intermedius, Vastus Lateralis, Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus

Conclusion

• Summary of muscle naming criteria
• Encouragement to continue learning and explore resources on kenhub.com