Lecture Notes: Memorizing Upper Limb Skeletal Muscles

Introduction

• Video by Patrick on memorizing skeletal muscles of the upper limb.
• Tips and tricks presented in chunks of 4-8 muscles for manageability.
• Video sponsored by Kenhub.

Back Muscles

• Trapezius
  • Inserts on scapula and clavicle, originates from skull to lowest thoracic vertebrae.
  • Known as upper, middle, and lower traps in fitness but is a single muscle.
  • Trapezoid shape gives it the name.
• Latissimus Dorsi (Lats)
  • Widest muscle, spans from thoracic vertebrae to sacrum and inserts on humerus.
  • "Latissimus" refers to lateral position, "dorsi" to back location.

Muscles Under Trapezius

• Rhomboid Major and Minor
  • Originate on spine, insert on scapula, aid in retracting shoulder blades.
  • Major is rhomboid-shaped, minor is cylindrical.
• Serratus Posterior Superior
  • Often confused with rhomboid due to similar location but is deeper and serrated.
• Levator Scapulae
  • Elevates scapula; attaches from high neck vertebrae to top of scapula.

Chest Muscles

• Pectoralis Major and Minor
  • Major is the large chest muscle; Minor is smaller and doesn’t reach the sternum.
• Serratus Anterior
  • Jagged pattern, helps with punching action.
• Intercostal Muscles
  • Located between ribs ("intercostal" = "between ribs").

Shoulder Muscles

• Deltoid
  • Superficial muscle, named after triangle shape similar to Greek letter Delta.
• Rotator Cuff Muscles (SITS)
  • Supraspinatus: Above scapula spine.
  • Infraspinatus: Below scapula spine.
  • Teres Minor: Forms 'M' shape with humerus.
  • Subscapularis: Under scapula.
• Teres Major
  • Originates lower on scapula/humerus; similar to latissimus dorsi in function.

Upper Arm Muscles

• Biceps Brachii
  • Two-headed muscle for upper arm.
• Triceps Brachii
  • Three-headed muscle for upper arm.
• Coracobrachialis
  • Connects coracoid process to upper arm.
• Brachioradialis
  • Connects humerus to radius.
• Brachialis
  • Short elbow flexor.
• Anconeus
  • Small muscle for elbow extension.

Forearm Muscles

• Flexor Carpi Radialis/Ulnaris
  • Flexes the wrist on radial/ulnar side.
• Palmaris Longus
  • Long tendon; some people lack this muscle.
• Pronator Teres/Quadratus
  • Pronates arm; Quadratus is square-shaped.
• Flexor Digitorum Superficialis/Profundus
  • Superficialis flexes fingers, Profundus is deeper.
• Flexor Pollicis Longus
  • Bends thumb.

Posterior Forearm Muscles

• Extensor Carpi Ulnaris/Radialis Longus/Brevis
  • Extends wrist, inserts on ulnar/radial side.
• Extensor Digitorum/Digiti Minimi
  • Extends fingers/pinky.
• Extensor Indicis
  • Extends index finger.
• Thumb Muscles (Abductor and Extensor Pollicis)
  • Abductor pollicis longus pulls thumb sideways.
  • Extensor pollicis longus/brevis extends thumb.
• Supinator
  • Found at elbow, performs supination.

Hand Muscles

• Thenar Mass (Thumb Movement)
  • Flexor Pollicis Brevis/Adductor/Abductor
  • Opposition involves opponens pollicis.
• Hypothenar Mass (Pinky Movement)
  • Opponens Digiti Minimi/Flexor/Abductor
• Palmaris Brevis
  • Connects to palmar aponeurosis, aids in grip.
• Interossei Muscles
  • Palmar Interossei: Adduct fingers.
  • Dorsal Interossei: Abduct fingers.

Conclusion and Resources

• Recommended resource: Kenhub for anatomy learning.
• Kenhub provides articles, illustrations, quizzes, and video content.
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• Encourage further study through Kenhub resources and quizzes.