1. Anatomy Muscles Flashcards
Origins and Insertions
Intended for entry level anatomy students

2. Anatomy Muscles Flashcards
Intended to be viewed as full-screen….
select full-screen, and use “Page Down” to scroll through individual “flashcards” !
Anatomy Muscles Flashcards
Origins and Insertions

3. Anatomy Muscles Flashcards
Origins and Insertions
Note: Learn origins and insertions of each muscle well.
This is why the bony landmarks are so important.
Do not memorize the function of muscles !
Muscles contract only linearly.
Thus, to know the origin and insertion of a muscle is to know the function.

4. Anatomy Muscles Flashcards
Origins and Insertions
Note: Every muscle has a multitude of actions.
Listed are the primary actions of each muscle !

5. Anatomy Muscles Flashcards
Origins and Insertions
Presented in Three Parts:
I – Muscles of Face, head, neck, thorax, and abdomen
II – Muscles of the upper extremity
III – Muscles of the lower extremity

6. Anatomy Muscles Flashcards
Origins and Insertions
Each card is a set of three:
The first asks to identify the muscle.
The next provides the clues.
The third gives the name of the muscle.

7. 1. Identify this muscle and its action !

8. Orbicularis Oculi 1. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: margin of the orbit
Insertion: eyelid & skin of face
Action: closes eye, blink
Innervation: Facial nerve (CN VII)‏

9. 2. Identify this muscle and its action !

10. Orbicularis oris 2. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Maxilla and mandible
Insertion: Fibers of the lips
Action: Compresses lips
Innervation: Facial nerve (CN VII)‏

11. 3. Identify this muscle and its action !

12. 3. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Zygomatic bone
Insertion: mandible
Action: Elevates mandible, closes jaws, chewing (“mastication”)‏
Innervation: Mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve (CN V3)‏

13. Masseter 3. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Zygomatic bone
Insertion: mandible
Action: Elevates mandible, closes jaws, chewing (“mastication”)‏
Innervation: Mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve (CN V3)‏

14. 4. Identify this muscle and its action !

15. 4. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: manubrium and clavicle
Insertion: Mastoid process of temporal bone
Action: Flexes head at neck (both right and left muscles working together), or bends neck toward shoulder and turns face away (one-side only)‏
Innervation: Spinal Accessory nerve (CN XI)‏

16. Sternocleidomastoid 4. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: manubrium and clavicle
Insertion: Mastoid process of temporal bone
Action: Flexes head at neck (both right and left muscles working together), or bends neck toward shoulder and turns face away (one-side only)‏
Innervation: Spinal Accessory nerve (CN XI)‏

17. 5. Identify this muscle and its action !

18. 5. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Inferior clavicle and fascia of chest
Insertion: Inferior surface of mandible
Action: Draws corners of mouth inferiorly and tenses skin of the neck by drawing it superiorly
Innervation: Cervical Branch of Facial Nerve (CN VII)‏

19. Platysma 5. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Inferior clavicle and fascia of chest
Insertion: Inferior surface of mandible
Action: Draws corners of mouth inferiorly and tenses skin of the neck by drawing it superiorly
Innervation: Cervical Branch of Facial Nerve (CN VII)‏

20. 6. Identify this muscle and its action !

21. 6. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Inferior border of rib
Insertion: Superior border of inferior rib
Action: Elevates ribs
Innervation: Intercostal nerves

22. External Intercostals
6. Identify this muscle and its action !
External Intercostals
Origin: Inferior border of rib
Insertion: Superior border of inferior rib
Action: Elevates ribs
Innervation: Intercostal nerves
Hint: External intercostals run in the same direction as your fingers when you put your hands in your pockets

23. 7. Identify this muscle and its action !

24. 7. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Superior border of inferior rib
Insertion: Inferior border of superior rib
Action: Depresses ribs
Innervation: Intercostal nerves

25. Internal Intercostals
7. Identify this muscle and its action !
Internal Intercostals
Origin: Superior border of inferior rib
Insertion: Inferior border of superior rib
Action: Depresses ribs
Innervation: Intercostal nerves
Hint: Internal intercostals run in the direction that your fingers run when you place your hands on your heart (i.e. deep and perpendicular to external intercostal muscles)‏

26. 8. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: originates on the inferior border of the rib cage
Insertion: inserts on the central tendon.
Action: Flattens when it contracts to increase area of thorax and inflate lungs.
Innervation: Phrenic nerve (C3,4,5)

27. Respiratory Diaphragm
8. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: originates on the inferior border of the rib cage
Insertion: inserts on the central tendon.
Action: Flattens when it contracts to increase area of thorax and inflate lungs.
Innervation: Phrenic nerve (C3,4,5)
Respiratory Diaphragm

28. 9. Identify this muscle and its action !

29. 9. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: External, inferior borders of ribs
Insertion: linea alba and iliac crest
Action: Flex trunk (spine) at hip, compress abdomen
Innervation: Intercostal nerves
Note that the muscle fibers run in the direction that your fingers run when you put your hands in your pockets.

30. External Oblique Abdominus
9. Identify this muscle and its action !
External Oblique Abdominus
Origin: External, inferior borders of ribs
Insertion: linea alba and iliac crest
Action: Flex trunk (spine) at hip, compress abdomen
Innervation: Intercostal nerves
Note that the muscle fibers run in the direction that your fingers run when you put your hands in your pockets.

31. 10. Identify this muscle and its action !

32. 10. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Pubis
Insertion: costal cartilages and xiphoid process
Action: Flex trunk (spine) at hip, compress abdomen
Innervation: Intercostal nerves

33. Rectus abdominus 10. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Pubis
Insertion: costal cartilages and xiphoid process
Action: Flex trunk (spine) at hip, compress abdomen
Innervation: Intercostal nerves

34. Anatomy Muscles Flashcards
Origins and Insertions
Presented in Three Parts:
I – Muscles of Face, head, neck, thorax, and abdomen
II – Muscles of the upper extremity
III – Muscles of the lower extremity

35. 11. Identify this muscle and its action !

36. 11. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Occipital bone and spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae
Insertion: Clavicle and scapula
Action: elevation of scapulae
Innervation: Spinal Accessory nerve (CN XI)‏

37. Trapezius 11. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Occipital bone and spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae
Insertion: Clavicle and scapula
Action: elevation of scapulae
Innervation: Spinal Accessory nerve (CN XI)‏

38. 12. Identify this muscle and its action !

39. 12. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: vertebral spinous processes, iliac crest, and ribs
Insertion: Intertubercular groove and lesser tubercle (humerus
(common insertion with teres major muscle).
Action: Adduction of arm at shoulder
Innervation: spinal nerves (C6-C8)‏

40. Latissimus dorsi 12. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: vertebral spinous processes, iliac crest, and ribs
Insertion: Intertubercular groove and lesser tubercle of humerus
(common insertion with teres major muscle).
Action: Adduction of arm at shoulder
Innervation: spinal nerves (C6-C8)‏

41. 13. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view I

42. 13. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view I
Origin: Subscapular fossa
Insertion: Lesser tubercle (humerus)‏
Action: Medial rotation of shoulder
Innervation: spinal nerve from posterior cord of brachial plexus

43. Subscapularis (1 of 4 rotator cuff muscles)‏
13. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view I
Subscapularis (1 of 4 rotator cuff muscles)‏
Origin: Subscapular fossa
Insertion: Lesser tubercle (humerus)‏
Action: Medial rotation of arm at shoulder
Innervation: spinal nerve from posterior cord of brachial plexus

44. 14. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view
posterior view

45. 14. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view
posterior view
Origin: Supraspinous fossa
Insertion: Greater tubercle
Action: abduct arm at shoulder
Innervation: spinal nerve from brachial plexus

46. Supraspinatus (1 of 4 rotator cuff muscles)‏
14. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view
posterior view
Supraspinatus (1 of 4 rotator cuff muscles)‏
Origin: Supraspinous fossa
Insertion: Greater tubercle (humerus)‏
Action: abduct arm at shoulder
Innervation: spinal nerve from brachial plexus

47. 15. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view
posterior view

48. 15. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view
posterior view
Origin: Infraspinous fossa
Insertion: Greater tubercle (humerus)‏
Action: Lateral rotation of arm at shoulder
Innervation: spinal nerve from brachial plexus

49. Infraspinatus (1 of 4 rotator cuff muscles)‏
15. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view
posterior view
Infraspinatus (1 of 4 rotator cuff muscles)‏
Origin: Infraspinous fossa
Insertion: Greater tubercle (humerus)‏
Action: Lateral rotation of arm at shoulder
Innervation: spinal nerve from brachial plexus

50. 16. Identify this muscle and its action !
posterior view

51. 16. Identify this muscle and its action !
posterior view
Origin: lateral border of scapula
Insertion: Greater tubercle (humerus)‏
Action: Laterally rotates arm at shoulder
Innervation: Axillary nerve

52. Teres Minor (1 of 4 rotator cuff muscles)‏
16. Identify this muscle and its action !
posterior view
Teres Minor (1 of 4 rotator cuff muscles)‏
Origin: lateral border of scapula
Insertion: Greater tubercle (humerus)‏
Action: Laterally rotates arm at shoulder
Innervation: Axillary nerve

53. 17. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view
posterior view

54. 17. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view
posterior view
Origin: clavicle and scapula
Insertion: deltoid tuberosity (humerus)‏
Action: ab-duct arm at shoulder
(similar to supraspinatus)‏
Innervation: Axillary nerve

55. Deltoid 17. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view
posterior view
Deltoid
Origin: clavicle and scapula
Insertion: deltoid tuberosity (humerus)‏
Action: ab-duct arm at shoulder
(similar to supraspinatus)‏
Innervation: Axillary nerve

56. 18. Identify this muscle and its action !

57. 18. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: clavicle, costal cartilage, and sternum
Insertion: Greater tubercle
Action: flex arm at shoulder
Innervation: Pectoral nerves (spinal nerves from brachial plexus)‏

58. Pectoralis major 18. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: clavicle, costal cartilage, and sternum
Insertion: Greater tubercle
Action: flex arm at shoulder
Innervation: Pectoral nerves (spinal nerves from brachial plexus)‏

59. 19. Identify this muscle and its action !

60. 19. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Long Head: Supraglenoid tubercle (scapula) Short Head: Coracoid process (scapula)‏
Insertion: Radial tuberosity
Action: flex forearm at elbow and supinate forearm/ hand at elbow
(a two-joint muscle)‏
Innervation: Musculocutaneous nerve

61. Biceps brachii 19. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Long Head: Supraglenoid tubercle (scapula) Short Head: Coracoid process (scapula)‏
Insertion: Radial tuberosity
Action: flex forearm at elbow and supinate forearm/ hand at elbow
(a two-joint muscle)‏
Innervation: Musculocutaneous nerve

62. 20. Identify this muscle and its action !
Anterior view
Posterior view

63. Anterior view
Posterior view
20. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin of Long Head: Infraglenoid tubercle (scapula)‏
Medial Head: Posterior, lateral humerus
Lateral Head: Posterior, medial humerus
Insertion: Olecranon (ulna)‏
Action: Extend forearm at elbow
Innervation: Radial nerve

64. Triceps brachii Anterior view Posterior view
20. Identify this muscle and its action !
Triceps brachii
Origin of Long Head: Infraglenoid tubercle (scapula)‏
Medial Head: Posterior, lateral humerus
Lateral Head: Posterior, medial humerus
Insertion: Olecranon (ulna)‏
Action: Extend forearm at elbow
Innervation: Radial nerve

65. 21. Identify this muscle and its action !

66. 21. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Lateral epicondyle of humerus
Insertion: Base of fifth metacarpal
Action: Extend and adduct hand at the wrist
Innervation: Posterior Interosseus Nerve, a branch of the Radial Nerve

67. Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
21. Identify this muscle and its action !
Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
Origin: Lateral epicondyle of humerus
Insertion: Base of fifth metacarpal
Action: Extend and adduct hand at the wrist
Innervation: Posterior Interosseus Nerve, a branch of the Radial Nerve

68. 22. Identify this muscle and its action !

69. 22. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Medial epicondyle of humerus
Insertion: Base of second and third metacarpals
Action: Flex and abduct hand at the wrist
Innervation: Median Nerve

70. Flexor Carpi Radialis 22. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Medial epicondyle of humerus
Insertion: Base of second and third metacarpals
Action: Flex and abduct hand at the wrist
Innervation: Median Nerve

71. Anatomy Muscles Flashcards
Origins and Insertions
Presented in Three Parts:
I – Muscles of Face, head, neck, thorax, and abdomen
II – Muscles of the upper extremity
III – Muscles of the lower extremity

72. 23. Identify this muscle and its action !
Posterior view

73. 23. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: iliac crest, sacrum
Insertion: iliotibial tract, linea aspera
Action: extension of thigh at hip and lateral rotation of thigh
Innervation: Inferior gluteal nerve
Posterior view

74. 23. Identify this muscle and its action !
Gluteus Maximus
Posterior view
Origin: iliac crest, sacrum
Insertion: iliotibial tract, linea aspera
Action: extension of thigh at hip and lateral rotation of thigh
Innervation: Inferior gluteal nerve

75. 24. Identify this muscle and its action !

76. 24. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: iliac crest
Insertion: Greater trochanter
Action: Abduction and medial rotation of thigh at the hip
Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve

77. 24. Identify this muscle and its action !
Gluteus Medius
Origin: iliac crest
Insertion: Greater trochanter
Action: Abduction and medial rotation of thigh at the hip
Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve

78. 25. Identify this muscle and its action !

79. 25. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Lateral surface of ilium
Insertion: Greater trochanter
Action: Abduction, medial rotation at hip
Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve

80. 25. Identify this muscle and its action !
Gluteus Minimus
Origin: Lateral surface of ilium
Insertion: Greater trochanter
Action: Abduction, medial rotation at hip
Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve

81. 26. Identify this muscle and its action !
Posterior view

82. 26. Identify this muscle and its action !
Posterior view
Origin: ischial tuberosity
Insertion: Medial condyle of tibia
Action: flex leg at knee
Innervation: Tibial nerve

83. Semimembranosus 26. Identify this muscle and its action !
Posterior view
Origin: ischial tuberosity
Insertion: Medial condyle of tibia
Action: flex leg at knee
Innervation: Tibial nerve

84. 27. Identify this muscle and its action !

85. 27. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Ischial tuberosity
Insertion: Medial surface of superior tibia,
via pes anserinus
Action: flex leg at knee
Innervation: Tibial nerve

86. Semitendinosus 27. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Ischial tuberosity
Insertion: Medial surface of superior tibia,
via pes anserinus
Action: flex leg at knee
Innervation: Tibial nerve

87. 28. Identify this muscle and its action !

88. 28. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: ischial tuberosity
Insertion: Lateral condyle of tibia
Action: flex leg at knee
Innervation: Tibial nerve

89. Biceps Femoris, Long-Head
28. Identify this muscle and its action !
Biceps Femoris, Long-Head
Origin: ischial tuberosity
Insertion: Lateral condyle of tibia
Action: flex leg at knee
Innervation: Tibial nerve

90. 29. Identify this muscle and its action !

91. 29. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: linea aspera
Insertion: Lateral condyle of tibia
Action: flex leg at knee
Innervation: common fibular nerve

92. Biceps Femoris, Short-Head
29. Identify this muscle and its action !
Biceps Femoris, Short-Head
Origin: linea aspera
Insertion: Lateral condyle of tibia
Action: flex leg at knee
Innervation: common fibular nerve

93. 30. Identify this muscle and its action !

94. 30. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Anterior superior iliac spine
Insertion: Medial side of superior tibia,
via pes anserinus
Action: flex thigh at hip & flex leg at knee
Innervation: Femoral nerve

95. Sartorius 30. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Anterior superior iliac spine
Insertion: Medial side of superior tibia,
via pes anserinus
Action: flex thigh at hip & flex leg at knee
Innervation: Femoral nerve

96. 31. Identify this muscle and its action !

97. 31. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Anterior inferior iliac spine
Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament, part of quadriceps femoris
Action: Flex thigh at hip & extend leg at knee
Innervation: Femoral nerve

98. Rectus Femoris 31. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Anterior inferior iliac spine
Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament, part of quadriceps femoris
Action: Flex thigh at hip & extend leg at knee
Innervation: Femoral nerve

99. 32. Identify this muscle and its action !

100. 32. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Intertrochanteric line
Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament, part of quadriceps femoris
Action: Extend leg at knee
Innervation: Femoral nerve

101. Vastus Medialis 32. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Intertrochanteric line
Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament, part of quadriceps femoris
Action: Extend leg at knee
Innervation: Femoral nerve

102. 33. Identify this muscle and its action !

103. 33. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Greater trochanter
Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament, part of quadriceps femoris
Action: Extend leg at knee
Innervation: Femoral nerve

104. Vastus Lateralis 33. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Greater trochanter
Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament, part of quadriceps femoris
Action: Extend leg at knee
Innervation: Femoral nerve

105. 34. Identify this muscle and its action !

106. 34. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Anterolateral surface of femur
Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament, part of quadriceps femoris
Action: Extend leg at knee
Innervation: Femoral nerve

107. Vastus Intermedius 34. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Anterolateral surface of femur
Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament, part of quadriceps femoris
Action: Extend leg at knee
Innervation: Femoral nerve

108. 35. Identify this muscle and its action !

109. 35. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Femoral condyles
Insertion: Calcaneus, via calcaneal tendon
Action: Plantar flexion of foot at ankle
Innervation: Tibial nerve

110. Gastrocnemius 35. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: Femoral condyles
Insertion: Calcaneus, via calcaneal tendon
Action: Plantar flexion of foot at ankle
Innervation: Tibial nerve

111. 36. Identify this muscle and its action !

112. 36. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: tibia
Insertion: 1st metatarsal
Action: Extension (dorsiflexion) of foot at ankle, inversion of foot
Innervation: Deep fibular nerve

113. Tibialis Anterior 36. Identify this muscle and its action !
Origin: tibia
Insertion: 1st metatarsal
Action: Extension (dorsiflexion) of foot at ankle, inversion of foot
Innervation: Deep fibular nerve

114. Structures that you should study!
Flexor and extensor retinacula (of wrist and ankle)‏
Without these, muscle tendons would “bow-string” and make it very difficult to perform their function.

115. This project was made possible by:
Rachel Uppgaard (Human Anatomy TA, present) and artwork by Jimmy Chue-mai Yang (TA, )‏