Leg Muscles Overview

The primary muscle responsible for breathing, it contracts to increase lung volume and expands the chest cavity during inhalation.

A pair of muscles that move the ribs, aiding the diaphragm in expanding and contracting the chest cavity for breathing.

A large muscle that extends along the spine and helps to straighten and support the back.

A pair of muscles located at the front of the abdomen that flexes the spine and helps to keep your core stable.

Muscles located on the sides of the abdomen that help to rotate and bend the torso.

A group of four muscles (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius) that extend the knee joint, essential for activities like walking, running, and jumping.

A group of three muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus) that flex the knee joint and extend the hip joint, essential for activities like walking, running, kicking, and jumping.

The largest muscle in the body, responsible for extending the hip joint. Crucial for walking, climbing stairs, and maintaining an upright posture.

The main muscle in the calf that plantar flexes the ankle joint. Essential for activities like walking, running, and jumping.

A muscle on the front of your shin that dorsiflexes the ankle joint, important for walking, running, and maintaining balance.

A muscle deep in the calf, working together with the gastrocnemius to plantar flex the ankle joint. Essential for maintaining posture.

A group of muscles that adduct the legs, bringing them closer to the midline, important for maintaining balance and hip stability.

A group of muscles that abduct the legs, moving them away from the midline, essential for maintaining balance and stability in activities like walking and running.

A group of four muscles located on the front of the thigh, responsible for knee extension and hip flexion. Essential for walking, running, jumping, and climbing stairs.

A group of three muscles located at the back of the thigh, responsible for knee flexion and hip extension. Involved in activities like walking, running, kicking, and bending your knee.

Located in the calf, these muscles are responsible for plantar flexion of the ankle (pointing the toes downward). Crucial for walking, running, jumping, and maintaining balance.

Located on the front of the lower leg, this muscle is responsible for dorsiflexion of the ankle (lifting toes upwards). Involved in activities like walking and running on uneven surfaces, helping to stabilise the foot.

These muscles are located in the buttocks and are crucial for hip extension, abduction (moving leg away from the body), and external rotation. Essential for activities like walking, running, and stair climbing, and maintaining posture.

Located on the front of the upper arm, this muscle is primarily responsible for elbow flexion (bending the elbow) and supination of the forearm (rotating the palm upwards). Key role in activities like lifting, pulling, and carrying items.

Located on the back of the upper arm, this muscle is primarily responsible for elbow extension (straightening the elbow). Important for pushing, pressing, and extending the arm.

This group of muscles forms the rounded shape of the shoulder, responsible for various shoulder movements, including abduction (lifting the arm), flexion, extension, and horizontal adduction (movement of arms forward and backward). Essential for activities like reaching, throwing, and carrying objects.

Muscles on either side of your torso, allowing you to twist and bend sideways. They help with balance and twisting movements.

Large, flat muscle in your upper back that connects your neck to your shoulders. Helps raise, lower, and rotate your shoulder blade, and is crucial for posture.

Muscle around your eye that closes your eyelids. It's involved in blinking and squinting.